Euro-ready Slovakia: San Marino beaten 4-0

Slovakia and San Marino met again after fifteen years, this time with no points at stake. The first ever friendly between the two national teams was played on neutral ground in Wiener Neustadt, Austria. In the small stadium just outside Vienna there was also a group of Biancazzurri supporters, who ensured Cevoli’s men felt their backing throughout. Slovakia broke the deadlock in the 8th minute from a free-kick on the edge of the box. Colombo parried Bénes’ effort out wide, but Gyömbér was quick to recycle the ball into the middle where Rigo stabbed home from close range. Calzona’s side doubled their lead shortly after through Suslov, freed in the area after a fine move that allowed him to finish with a left-footed diagonal. A minute later the post came to Colombo’s rescue on Haraslín’s attempt. The Titans tried to respond by playing off Nanni, but his pass for Contadini was just a fraction too heavy. Shortly after the quarter-hour, the woodwork denied Haraslín again, this time from an almost perfect free-kick. From midway through the half, Roberto Cevoli had to deal with Fabbri’s shoulder injury; the defender left the pitch to applause from the crowd. D’Addario came on in his place, while Berardi tried his luck from an impossible angle in the 26th minute, missing the target. Two minutes later Strelec had a huge chance but, one-on-one with Colombo, he failed to hit the mark. On 36 minutes Haraslín finally found the net at the third time of asking, scoring from close range. At the end of the half there was a good attacking move from San Marino, who produced an interesting routine from a free-kick to work a crossing opportunity for Tosi: Rodák came off his line and punched clear at the near post. The last move of the first half was another moment of inspiration from Tosi, sliding the ball in behind Gyömbér for Nanni’s run, but the forward was unable to bring it under control inside the box. After the restart the pattern of the game remained the same and Slovakia struck their fourth in the 58th minute. It was an absolute gem from Strelec, who met a cross from the left with a first-time volley that gave Colombo no chance. Ten minutes later the San Marino goalkeeper produced a fine save to tip Tupta’s free-kick over the bar, then safely gathered Polievka’s follow-up shot. In the final half-hour Slovakia kept pushing, but San Marino defended deep with discipline and organisation. The match ended with a deserved victory for Francesco Calzona’s team – who are about to make their bow at UEFA EURO 2024 in Germany – in this first official friendly against San Marino.

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Official friendly | Slovakia–San Marino 4-0 SLOVAKIA Rodák; Pekarík (from 46' Obert), Gyömbér (from 77' Ďuriš), Škriniar, De Marco; Rigo (from 68' Hollý), Hrošovský, Bénes; Suslov (from 60' Tupta), Strelec (from 60' Polievka), Haraslín (from 46' Sauer) Substitutes: Dúbravka, Ravas, Vavro, Duda, Boženík, Kadák, Bero, Lobotka, Kóša Coach: Francesco Calzona   SAN MARINO Colombo; Fabbri (from 25' D'Addario), Cevoli, Rossi, Tosi (from 84' Palazzi); A. Golinucci (from 62' Mularoni), E. Golinucci (from 62' Mi. Battistini); Berardi (from 62' Pancotti), Contadini, Sensoli; Nanni (from 84' Vitaioli) Substitutes: Zavoli, Amici, Franciosi, Valentini, Pasolini, Gasperoni Coach: Roberto Cevoli   Referee: Julian Weinberger (AUT) Assistants: Martin Höfler (AUT) and Mattias Hartl (AUT) Fourth official: Alexander Harkam (AUT) Scorers: 8' Rigo, 10' Suslov, 36' Haraslín, 58' Strelec Booked: Contadini, Palazzi Attendance: 452

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