World Cup Record: 1st Appearance

Manager: Vladimir Weiss
Key Player: Stanislav Sestak
Qualified: 1st Europe Group 3
Odds: 250/1

Slovakia (formed 1993) has never qualified for the World Cup as an independent nation. They qualified from a difficult group including the Czech Republic and Slovenia and finally booked their place in South Africa by beating Poland 1-0 away in a must win match. Despite the impressive fashion in which they won their group Slovakia’s lack of tournament experience is a worry. Head coach Vladimir Weiss has said his side is determined and never gives up and this inner steel will be needed in South Africa. With players like Martin Skrtel and Marek Hamsik they have the ability to cause an upset or two.

Stanislav Sestak

Age: 26
Position: Forward
Club: Vfl Bochum (Germany-Bundesliga)
Caps: 29 (10 goals)
Top Goal Scorer Odds: 125/1

Stanislav Sestak has scored vital goals during Slovakia’s qualification for South Africa including two goals in two minutes in an important home tie against Poland. His final tally for the group stages was six goals. Sestak currently plays in the German Bundesliga with Vfl Bochum having scored 25 goals in 67 appearances. As a player who is not afraid of the big stage and with his proven record, Slovakia has a key player who can have a huge influence on games.