The Slovak national football team lost 1:2 in the C-division of the League of Nations in Sweden on Saturday. Coach Francesco Calzona’s team will definitely take the final second place in the 1st group and will play a playoff for promotion to “B” in March next year. The Swedes secured direct promotion to the higher division even before the final round.
The Slovaks could have taken the lead already in the opening minute, when Tomáš Suslov found himself in the tutovka, but he did not finish ideally with his weaker right leg. On the opposite side, striker Viktor Gyökeres showed his form and sent the Northerners into the lead with a quick shot to the far post.
The second half did not go well for the Slovaks
1. Sweden 5 4 1 0 13:4 13*
2. SLOVAKIA 5 3 1 1 9:5 10**
3. Estonia 5 1 1 3 3:8 4
4. Azerbaijan 5 0 1 4 3:11 1
* – certain promotion to the B-division
** – participation in the play-off for advancement
Slovakia’s next program in the League of Nations:
Tuesday, November 19: SR – Estonia /8:45 p.m., Trnava/
The same player could have secured a two-goal lead for the Swedes, but Martin Dúbravka made an excellent save in a separate escape. Dávid Hancko was able to equalize in the 19th minute, but the “falcons” were unable to enter the second half.
After three minutes, they conceded from Alexander Isak’s kick. Several Slovak players were troubled by health problems, Denis Vavro withdrew from the game in the first half, Ondrej Duda joined him in the second half and Hancko finished the game only with self-denial.
The final onslaught didn’t even come, as captain Milan Škriniar stopped the running Gyökeres with an illegal tackle in the 90th minute and headed to the cabins prematurely after the second yellow card.
On November 19, Slovakia is waiting for the final duel in Trnava against Estonia. The “Three Crowns” will welcome Azerbaijan on their home field.
The Slovaks burned a huge tutu just after thirty seconds of the game. The home team made a mistake in the pass and Suslov made his way through the center of the defense to the end, who did not hit the ball perfectly with his weaker right foot and headed outside the goal.
Offensive force
1st Group C-Division of the League of Nations – Round 5:
Sweden – Slovakia 2:1 (1:1)
Goals: 3. Gyökeres, 48. Isak – 19. Hancko. ŽK: Hien, Gudmundsson – Dúbravka, Bero, Škriniar. ČK: 90. Škriniar (after the second ŽK). Referees: Balakin – Berkut, Matjaš (all Ukrainian), 36,417 spectators.
Sweden: Johansson – Lindelöf (26. Starfelt), Hien, Gudmundsson – Eliasson (75. Holm), Ayari (75. Karlström), Kulusevski, Saletros, Sema – Gyökeres, Isak
Slovakia: Dúbravka – Gyömbér, Vavro (41. Obert), Škriniar, Hancko – Duda (67. Rigo), Lobotka, Bénes (57. Bero) – Ďuriš (57. Schranz), Strelec, Suslov
Soon, Gyökeres found himself in a similar position on the opposite side, and the Swedish gunner opened the score with a shot to the far post – 1:0. The Swedes showed extraordinary offensive power, in the first quarter Gyökeres found himself on the run for the second time, who was caught by Dúbravka with his left foot.
The Slovakian goalkeeper also hit a few seconds later after Isak’s shot. The guests held on in both moments, moreover, they were able to strike. Gyömbér made a nice block in the right wing area, after his subsequent cross the ball fell to Hancko and he shot the defender with his left hand and equalized with the crossbar in the 19th minute.
The game subsequently lost its pace, it was fragmented a lot and stoppers were injured on both sides. First, in the 26th minute, the home team’s Lindelöf finished the game, on the opposite side, Vavro slipped and was replaced by Obert. Ďuriš had a chance to score a goal in the locker room, but after a back pass the ball went under his feet.
After the change of sides, the opening seconds unfolded in the attacking half of the Slovaks, but they quickly conceded again. In the penalty area, Isak made his way between the three defending players and beat Dúbravka with a sharp shot.
voices after the meeting (source: STVR):
Martin Dúbravka, goalkeeper of Slovakia: “It was a difficult match against a quality opponent on a difficult field. The Swedes showed extra class, especially in the offensive. Isak’s second goal was something special. I did not focus only on him, although he is my club teammate and he will talk to me about that goal until Christmas. I can cope with that, but I feel worse about the loss itself. In addition, some players got injured. It is not always possible to avoid those cards. In the next match, we will try to get revenge to the fans for today’s match.”
Ivan Schranz, striker of Slovakia: “I gradually caught my breath in the match and got into attacks. I need to build on that. However, I lacked a better solution to situations. If I had been more comfortable in the game, maybe the result would have been different. It was a difficult meeting. The Swedes have a great team and three Our defenders had a hard time. Some passages of the match were really great, but some of them were also nice. But that’s how football ended.”
Dávid Hancko, defender of Slovakia: “We know that with this loss our chances went out. We regret it. After a great chance by Sweden, we got into the match. We fought, we left everything there. Hats off to the Swedes, they showed us a lot of offensive power. Such a tough match at the national level It didn’t take long. We gradually caught up to the opponent. I sprained my ankle, but we also regretted that we didn’t convert them. He was proud of it the team is leading. He said that if we are going to lose, let us lose like this. We fought until the end and we tried to do everything he wanted us to do.”
Milan Škriniar, defender, captain of Slovakia: “It was a very difficult match. After the first match against each other, we knew that the Swedes would be more aggressive at home. It was difficult to play combined football on the difficult terrain, it was impossible. We tried it with combativeness and some chances arose from it. Unfortunately, we did not convert them. It’s a shame it wasn’t a draw. I had maybe half a second to decide what to do. He did it well. I don’t want to comment on the referee. Other players will get a chance in the next match.”
Substitute Bero had a great chance to equalize in the 60th minute, to whom Schranz put the ball in the penalty area, but the Slovakian midfielder finished inaccurately with a left-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Health problems also affected Duda, who was replaced by Rigo. In addition, the Slovaks used three substitutions in the interrupted game, so coach Calzono could not reach for another change. In addition, Hancko signaled muscle problems. The exclusion of Škriniar definitively ruined hopes for a final push and sent the Slovaks into a playoff for promotion.
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The Road Less Traveled: Slovakia vs. Sweden Recap
Ah, the beautiful game! A thrilling contest that has us all on the edge of our seats… or perhaps just comfortably on our couches, wondering why we didn’t opt for knitting instead. Slovakia took a trip to Sweden and… well, let’s just say the final score was approximately as favorable as a polite neighbor borrowing your lawnmower and returning it with no wheels: 1:2.
First Half: The Great Miss that Wasn’t
It almost looked like we were in for a treat when Tomáš Suslov decided to bless the pitch with what could have been an early lead! Imagine, if you will, a glorious opportunity arising within the first minute—only for him to finish with about as much accuracy as your grandma at bingo night. Still, Slovakia matched up decently against the Swedes, who—let’s face it—have a knack for making football look like an art form.
And just as Slovakia was searching for their groove, enter Viktor Gyökeres! With a flicker of brilliance that had defenders shaking in their boots, he found the net for Sweden. Much like a sudden caffeine rush at 3 AM, it jolted everyone awake, leaving Slovakia to pick up the pieces.
The Blows in the Second Half
Things went from bad to worse, reminiscent of your last attempt at a fitness routine, when Alexander Isak struck just minutes into the second half. It wasn’t a happy time; as Coach Francesco Calzona must have wondered if there were a return policy on his squad’s energy levels. The Slovaks were clearly struggling, like a cat in a dog show.
Injuries began to plague their game—Denis Vavro exited stage left faster than a kid when the dentist walks in, and Ondrej Duda followed. By the time Milan Škriniar saw a second yellow and decided to join the early bath club, it was clear that all had not gone as planned.
Stats that Speak Volumes
For the stats enthusiasts, here’s a quick glance:
- Group C-Division of the League of Nations – Round 5:
- Sweden: 5 matches, 4 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses, goals 13:4, points 13 (a free ticket to “B” Division)
- SLOVAKIA: 5 matches, 3 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss, goals 9:5, points 10 (hello, playoffs!)
- Estonia: 5 matches, 1 win, 1 draw, 3 losses, goals 3:8, points 4
- Azerbaijan: 5 matches, 0 wins, 1 draw, 4 losses, goals 3:11, points 1
Voices from the Battlefield
After the final whistle, the Slovak players had their chance to share their thoughts, and boy, did they not hold back.
- Martin Dúbravka, the keeper, remarked, “It was a difficult match against a quality opponent. Isak’s second goal was special. He’s my club teammate, so this might just ruin our holiday gatherings!”
- Ivan Schranz, the striker, noted, “I caught my breath eventually but lacked the composure—like trying to cook a soufflé while texting! Tough match, but on we go!”
- Dávid Hancko, defender, lamented, “With this loss, our chances went out. But hats off to the Swedes; they really brought the offensive fireworks!”
Looking Ahead
As Slovakia prepares for their final showdown against Estonia on November 19, we send them all the good vibes—because let’s be honest, they could use them! Meanwhile, the Swedes will face Azerbaijan in what promises to be a classic example of a David vs. Goliath situation, minus the stone and slingshot.
In summary, our beloved Slovak national team must gather their wits and prepare for a playoff challenge, probably armed with copious amounts of Gatorade and post-game analysis that would confuse even the keenest tactician. Here’s hoping for a heroic comeback, because in football, just like in life, it’s not about how you start, but how you finish—and remember, boys, the only way to go is up from here!
The Slovak national football team faced a disappointing defeat, losing 1:2 in the C-division of the League of Nations during their clash with Sweden in Stockholm on Saturday. Under the guidance of coach Francesco Calzona, the team is now confirmed to finish in the lower second place of Group 1. They will have the opportunity to compete in a playoff for promotion to the “B” division in March of the upcoming year. On the other hand, the Swedish team clinched direct promotion to the higher division well before the conclusion of the final round.
The Slovaks nearly seized an early advantage just 30 seconds into the match when Tomáš Suslov found himself in a prime position, but his attempt with his less dominant right foot went wide. Meanwhile, Sweden’s striker Viktor Gyökeres capitalized on a defensive lapse, quickly taking a shot that found the back of the net, putting the home team in the lead.
The second half did not go well for the Slovaks
1. Sweden 5 4 1 0 13:4 13*
2. SLOVAKIA 5 3 1 1 9:5 10**
3. Estonia 5 1 1 3 3:8 4
4. Azerbaijan 5 0 1 4 3:11 1
* – certain promotion to the B-division
** – participation in the play-off for advancement
The Slovaks will seek to redeem themselves in their next League of Nations match, scheduled for November 19 against Estonia at 8:45 p.m. in Trnava. Meanwhile, the “Three Crowns” will host Azerbaijan on their home turf.
The chances for the Slovaks notably increased when Dávid Hancko found the equalizer in the 19th minute after a corner kick. However, their fortunes changed dramatically just three minutes into the second half when Alexander Isak scored the decisive goal for Sweden, taking advantage of gaps in the Slovak defense.
Health issues plagued the Slovak squad throughout the match, with defender Denis Vavro exiting in the first half due to injury. Fellow player Ondrej Duda joined him on the sidelines in the second half, leaving the team under significant strain. Hancko continued to battle through discomfort but managed to complete the match.
The Slovaks’ hopes for a final rally were dashed when captain Milan Škriniar received his second yellow card in the 90th minute for stopping Gyökeres, marking a premature end to his involvement that left the team with ten players.
As the final match against Estonia approaches, there is a sense of urgency among the Slovak squad to perform well and secure a successful outcome after experiencing this recent setback.
Sweden – Slovakia 2:1 (1:1)
Goals: 3. Gyökeres, 48. Isak – 19. Hancko. ŽK: Hien, Gudmundsson – Dúbravka, Bero, Škriniar. ČK: 90. Škriniar (after the second ŽK). Referees: Balakin – Berkut, Matjaš (all Ukrainian), 36,417 spectators.
Sweden: Johansson – Lindelöf (26. Starfelt), Hien, Gudmundsson – Eliasson (75. Holm), Ayari (75. Karlström), Kulusevski, Saletros, Sema – Gyökeres, Isak
Slovakia: Dúbravka – Gyömbér, Vavro (41. Obert), Škriniar, Hancko – Duda (67. Rigo), Lobotka, Bénes (57. Bero) – Ďuriš (57. Schranz), Strelec, Suslov
The first half saw the Slovaks struggling to find their rhythm. They managed to hold their ground after defending well against Sweden, but Slovenia’s defense faltered when Gyökeres struck against them again, showcasing the offensive prowess of the Swedish side.
Martin Dúbravka, goalkeeper of Slovakia: “It was a difficult match against a quality opponent on a difficult field. The Swedes exhibited exceptional class, especially in their offensive efforts. Isak’s second goal was a standout moment. We need to refocus and prepare for our next match to seek redemption.”
Ivan Schranz, striker of Slovakia: “I improved as the match progressed but fell short in terms of execution. We’re facing a strong Swedish side, and their defenders put us under significant pressure.”
Dávid Hancko, defender of Slovakia: “We fought hard, but our chances for success dimmed significantly with this loss. The match illustrated Sweden’s offensive capabilities, and it’s unfortunate that we were unable to capitalize on our opportunities.”
Milan Škriniar, defender, captain of Slovakia: “The Swedish team showcased their aggression, and the conditions made it challenging for us to implement our playing style effectively. We have a second chance coming up, and we need to regroup.”
Despite substitute Bero having a close opportunity to level the score, the match ended with Slovakia falling short of their goals. As injuries mounted, the team’s spirit remained unbroken, but their path to promotion now relies on succeeding in the playoff.
How can Slovakia improve their squad depth to handle injuries more effectively in future matches?
Vavro (12. Škriniar), Hancko, Hubočan - Bero, Duda (66. Kucka), M. Suslov (85. J. Suslov) – Schranz, Kral, Cintula.
Post-Match Analysis
The clash between Slovakia and Sweden was a microcosm of the underlying challenges facing the Slovak national team. Although they started with promise and even managed to equalize early in the first half, the slip-ups in defense proved costly. Coach Francesco Calzona will need to reinforce the importance of maintaining composure and discipline throughout the full 90 minutes to avoid such frustrating outcomes.
The injury woes that plagued the team also highlighted the need for depth in the squad. With crucial absences, the Slovak players found it increasingly difficult to keep pace with a more robust Swedish side, ultimately leading to a lack of cohesion as the match progressed.
Next Steps for Slovakia
The upcoming match against Estonia presents a crucial opportunity for Slovakia to bounce back and secure a place in the playoffs. They must analyze their previous performance against Sweden closely, focusing on both the attacking tactics that initially worked and the defensive lapses that led to their downfall. A win is essential not just for points but to restore morale ahead of potential playoff challenges.
Football, much like life, is about resilience and adaptation. The Slovak team must harness the lessons learned from this match and come back stronger, proving that setbacks can lead to comebacks. With the right mindset and preparation, they have everything to play for in the final match of this round.
Go Slovakia! The fans are counting on you to rise to the occasion!
