Team Profile

Slovakia have participated in eight FIFA World Cups as part of Czechoslovakia, even reaching the final on two occasions, in 1934, when they lost to Italy, and 1962, when Brazil overran them.

Despite being in a difficult qualifying pool, Slovakia performed steadily to clinch their berth in South Africa.

Manager Vladimir Weiss has fashioned a tight unit and has a number of experienced players such as Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel, Robert Vitteck and Marek Mintal to call upon.

Placed in Group F with Italy, Paraguay, and New Zealand, Slovakia have an outside chance of making it to the Round of 16.

Goalkeepers: Jan Mucha, Dusan Kuciak, Dusan Pernis

Defenders: Peter Pekarik, Martin Petras, Martin Skrtel, Jan Durica, Radoslav Zabavnik, Marek Cech, Kornel Salate

Midfielders: Kamil Kopunek, Jan Kozak, Juraj Kucka, Marek Sapara, Marek Hamsik, Vladimir Weiss, Miroslav Stoch, Zdeno Strba

Forwards: Erik Jendrisek, Robert Vittek, Martin Jakubko, Filip Holosko, Stanislav Sestak

• Fernando Torres vows not to let Spain down again
• Diego Maradona says Lionel Messi can be the best ever
• Football fever grips Bollywood beauties
• Paul the 'psychic' World Cup octopus dead
• World Cup: Ugly truth but Dutch deny it
• Manchester United agree deal for Mexican Javier Hernandez
• Mumbai’s Spain supporters talk of octopus oracle’s predictions
• Shah Rukh Khan, Charlize Theron have a date
• FIFA World Cup: Sorry Germany, Paul the octopus has spoken
• Germany's Thomas Mueller crashes on bike; needs stitches