Slovakia - Group B
A strong qualification campaign featuring an eye-catching win against Spain means that the Slovakian's mustn't be underestimated. If star man Marek Hamšík can keep finding the net Ján Kozák's men look capable of escaping a tricky group.
Get to know: Slovakia
Having come through a tough group featuring winners Spain and the Ukraine, the Slovakians ended the campaign in second place and Ján Kozák’s men were heading to France. In qualification, Napoli hitman Marek Hamšík ended as the joint top scorer in the group with 5 goals. Slovakia found themselves in pole position in Group C after 2 games when they had defeated Ukraine 1-0 away from home and followed it up with a memorable 2-1 victory over Spain in the second group match.
In the group stages, they won 7 games, drew 1 and lost 2, scoring 17 goals, conceding 8 and ending up with a +9 goal difference.
In the draw for the main event, Slovakia were placed in Group B, alongside England, Russia and Wales.
Fixtures:
June 11 vs. Wales 4pm – Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
June 16 vs. Russia 1pm – Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille
June 20 vs. England 7pm – Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne
Goal scorers:
During qualification, Slovakia scored 17 goals
Their goal scorers were:
- Marek Hamšík (5)
- Adam Nemec (3)
- Juraj Kucka (2)
- Róbert Mak (2)
- Peter Pekarík (1)
- Kornel Saláta (1)
- Stanislav Šesták (1)
- Miroslav Stoch (1)
- Vladimír Weiss (1)
Qualification Stat Truths:
- Joint-second most clinical attack of any qualifier: 5.4 shots taken per goal scored.
- Scored highest percentage of first half goals of any qualifier with 70.6% (12/17).
- Best shot conversion in the first half of matches of any qualifier (23.5%).
- Conceded more corners per match than any other qualifier (6.2 per match).
All data based on Slovakia’s’ Euro 2016 qualification campaign. Courtesy of the Press Association.