With a population of over five million Slovakia is getting ready for its first ever appearance at a World Cup finals tournament in South Africa 2010. Slovakia gained its independence following the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in January 1993 and only joined the European Union in 2004 yet the fledgling nation is set to appear at the greatest sporting event on the planet in just a few short days.

The Slovaks performances will be of particular interest to Giovanni Trapattoni, as the Republic of Ireland will face Slovakia both home and away in Group B of the Euro 2012 qualifiers from September. Ireland’s failure to qualify for South Africa has only intensified the desire to make it to Euro 2012 where Russia and Slovakia are likely to provide our most difficult obstacles.

If Slovakia’s World Cup 2010 qualifying campaign is anything to go by then there is justification for Irish concern. The Slovaks topped UEFA Group 3 ahead of the Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, Poland, Slovenia and San Marino. An historic 2-1 victory away to the Czech’s in Prague was the highlight of their qualifying campaign which also included home and away victories over Poland and Northern Ireland. Slovenia (who finished runners-up in the group and toppled Russia in a play-off) were the only side to defeat them en route to the Slovak’s claiming a berth in South Africa.

Stanislav Sestak topped the goal-scoring charts with 6 during the qualification process with Marek Cech, Marek Hamsik and Martin Jakubko also weighing in with two apiece. Although Sestak is the side’s main target man there is no doubting Slovakia’s star player: Marek Hamsik (main pic doing a POB impression).  Regularly playing just behind the front strikers, the 22 year old Hamsik has enjoyed a memorable year for both his club (Napoli) and country. He has a fantastic first touch, is a terrific distributor of the ball and possesses all the necessary ingredients to become a breakout star at this World Cup.

Slovakia’s centre-half Martin Skrtel is the other player most recognisable to Irish fans having plied his trade in the Liverpool defence over the past number of seasons. Other than Hamsik and Skrtel the Slovak side will be an amalgamation of experienced internationals and up and coming young talent such as Chelsea’s Miroslav Stoch (currently on loan at Twente Enscehede who won last season’s Eredivisie).

The World Cup draw has been kind pitting Slovakia in Group F alongside New Zealand, Paraguay and Italy. Suffice to say the meeting with Paraguay on June 26th in Bloemfontein looks like being a shoot-out to see who finishes runner-up in the group behind the Italians. Should the Slovaks prevail against their plucky South American opponents then a potential meeting with Holland in the first knockout round looks a distinct possibility.

Slovakia possesses a handful of exceptionally talented individuals such as Hamsik and qualification from Group F is certainly attainable. Anything after that will be viewed as a bonus by a fledgling nation embarking upon their first ever World Cup odyssey.

The similarities with Slovakia’s appearance at South Africa 2010 and the Republic of Ireland’s first ever appearance at Italia 90’ are obvious. A plucky emerging nation with nothing to lose, looking to make an instant impact at the World Cup.

Should Slovakia enjoy a memorable few weeks in South Africa the Republic of Ireland will face a country intent on building on their World Cup showing when the Euro qualifiers begin in September.
Irish eyes should take more than a passing glance at how Slovakia get on this summer.

Watch highlights of Czech Rep v Slovakia

Ger McCarthy is author of the book entitled ‘Off Centre Circle’, available on Amazon, which chronicles the curious life of an amateur Irish football player.