Slovakia Football Fans – Page 8

STARS MUST STAY

Slovakian midfielder Marek Hamsik, who has managed to establish himself as one of the important members of the Italian club Napoli, has said that he hopes that manager Walter Mazzarri and striker Edinson Cavani will remain at the club next season as well.

These three are amongst the important cogs of Napoli. They have been able to transform a club that was fighting to finish in the top half of the table to a club that can challenge Juventus for the title. Napoli will once again qualify for the Champions league next season as they are expected to finish second in the season.

However, several transfer rumours are threatening to break apart the team that has been hugely influential in Italy over the last few years. Edinson Cavani has been linked with a move to some of the top clubs in Europe like PSG and Manchester City. He is expected to cost in excess of £ 40 million, but that is unlikely to worry these mega rich clubs. After helping transform Napoli into a title challenger, Mazzarri has also been attracting attention from several clubs as well.

Even Hamsik has been linked with a move to Chelsea as the replacement for Frank Lampard, but the midfielder is hoping that Cavani and Mazzarri stay at the club next season.
“It’s difficult to think of a Napoli without Cavani and Mazzarri; we would lose a player who has scored more than 100 goals and a coach who has turned us into challengers for the Scudetto. I hope Mazzarri and Cavani don’t go, so that we can make this Napoli great. In the last three years, we have obtained great results and we want to continue like that,” said Hamsik, who has been in great form this season. Hamsik has 10 goals from 36 appearances this season.

HAMSIK WILL STAY

The agent of the Napoli and Slovakia midfielder Marek Hamsik has revealed that it is highly unlikely that his client will ever leave Napoli. The 25-year-old is regarded as one of the best young midfielders in Europe.

He has been attracting attention from the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester City in the past.

However, no club has come in with an official bid for the player. Even if they come, the player is unlikely to leave Napoli because he holds the club in his heart according to the agent Mino Raiola. Hamsik is not only in love with the club, but is also in love with the city as well.

Napoli have been fortunate over the years to help players like Edinson Cavani and Marek Hamsik. The manager Walter Mazzarri has been able to build the team around these players. Both players have been unwilling to leave Napoli despite potential interest from several clubs across Europe. Hamsik was signed from Bologna back in 2007 for € 5 million. He has so far made 23 appearances in the league alone for Napoli and has managed to score nine goals in these matches. His goals have helped Napoli to move into the second place just a few points below the table leaders Juventus.

“I know Marek really well and he is very different from other footballers. He’s in love with the city of Naples, he is very tied to the club and the President. I don’t think he will ever leave Naples and Napoli. I believe that he will end his career with the club without ever wearing the shirt of another club,” said the agent Mino Raiola in an interview given to a radio station. After appearing to fall out of the title race during the Christmas period, Napoli are once again back in the hunt for the title.

THREE HORSE RACE

The Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik has said that he feels that the title race in Italy is now a three horse race, as the likes of Juventus, Inter Milan, and Napoli are fighting out against each other in the table.

Napoli have two points behind Juventus were table, but Inter Milan are not too far behind. They are another two points behind the Napoli with the opportunity to leapfrog Marek Hamsik and his team after this weekend. This is because Napoli will be taking on Inter Milan during the weekend.

Napoli and their players have been extremely wary of speaking about the title race. Even though they are only two points behind Juventus, Napoli found themselves in a similar position last season only for them to falter in the latter stages of the season. As a result, Marek Hamsik has repeatedly stressed that Juventus and Inter Milan are the favourites for the title this season. He has said that even though the club will not be talking about the Scudetto, it remains as one of the objectives for the team. Napoli last won the Italian Serie A title during the period of the Argentine legend Diego Maradona at back in the mid-1980s.

“The favourites for the Scudetto are Juventus, they’re really strong and they’ve shown they can compete with the best teams in Europe in the Champions League. I still don’t want to talk about the Scudetto but it’s pointless to deny the fact that it’s our objective. There’s also Inter, they’ve won a lot over the last few years. They’ve got a great team and so it’s to be expected that they’ll fight for the Scudetto,” said Marek Hamsik. The Slovakian midfielder has already been one of the best players for Napoli this season by scoring a lot of important goals.

SKRTEL HAILS SUAREZ

The Liverpool and Slovakia defender Martin Skrtel has hailed the form of the striker Luis Suarez by saying that he is extremely important to the Liverpool team. The 27-year-old defender has said that he is extremely happy to be playing in the same team as Luis Suarez.

Liverpool would certainly be struggling down in the bottom of the table had it not been for the extraordinary form shown by the Uruguay striker, who also secured a draw for the team in recent match against Chelsea during the weekend. John Terry had given Chelsea the lead in the match, but the South American scored with a header in the second half to give them a point from this match.

Martin Skrtel has been one of the important players for Liverpool since his move in 2006. The 27-year-old recently signed a new long-term contract with the club after being linked with many clubs like Manchester City. So far, he has seen Luis Suarez scored 15 goals for the club in all competitions. Due to the lack of other strikers at the club, the Uruguay striker has been utilised in all the matches by the manager Brendan Rodgers. Skrtel hopes that it does not burn out the striker.

“I play against him every day in training so I know it’s not easy. He is playing well and scoring goals and fingers crossed he can carry on this form. It’s good he’s in our team because a lot of defenders have nightmares about him because he is unplayable. He’s a great striker and nice man as well and I’m happy he is with me at Liverpool. Luis is unbelievable and for me one of the best strikers in the world,” said the Slovakian international Martin Skrtel after the 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

HAMSIK AT THE RIGHT CLUB

The Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik has said that he is extremely upbeat about the chances of Napoli winning the title this season.

The club had a tremendous last season after they managed to go as far as the last 16 of the Champions League only to be knocked out by the eventual champions Chelsea. They also had a good season in the league, although they could not finish in the Champions league positions this time around. Yet, the fact that they have managed to retain the services of Edinson Cavani mean that they will be the favourites alongside Juventus to lift the title according to the Slovakian midfielder Marek Hamsik.

The Slovakian international has been regarded as one of the best players within the Napoli team, and he has also been retained by the club amidst transfer interest from the likes of Manchester city. Even though they have sold Lavezzi during the transfer window for around £ 25 million, the club has retained the star striker Edinson Cavani. The Uruguay international is regarded by many as one of the best strikers in Europe. Due to the decline of both Inter Milan and AC Milan, Marek Hamsik reckons that it will be a two-way battle between Napoli and Juventus for the title.

“We will win the Scudetto. We are a fantastic team. This year we know we can handle anyone. We’re more mature, and yet we feel rejuvenated – I think that first three league games show that. To win a championship here would be great. I still remember the scenes at Stadio Olimpico when we won the Coppa Italia. We are a great group, and a serious team. Juventus are the favourites in many peoples’ eyes, but we are strong,” said Marek Hamsik after the first three matches of the season.

SKRTEL EXTENDS STAY

The Slovakian international defender Martin Skrtel has extended his stay with the Merseyside club Liverpool after signing a new contract with the team. The future of the 27-year-old has been under intense speculation after the player admitted that he would like to move to a new team that offers Champions League football.

Liverpool last participated in the Premier European competition back in 2009. They are not favourites to finish in the top four this time around as well. As a result, the 27-year-old has been linked with a lot of clubs including the Champions Manchester city.

However, he has put an end to all this speculation by signing a new contract with the club. The player had only two years left on his current deal, but it was thought that the Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was keen on extending the contract of the player. Another Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has also been linked with a move away from the club. Martin Skrtel was a £ 6 million signing from Zenit St Petersburg four years ago. He has grown into one of the formidable defenders in the country due to his performance as in the last few seasons.

“I’m happy because I am a part of one of the biggest clubs in the world. After last season there was a lot of talk about my future – but I have to say that the first priority for me was always to sign a new deal with Liverpool. For me it’s a great thing to play for Liverpool. I am proud to play for Liverpool with these great players – probably some of the best players in the world. I hope I can create history at this club and that the fans will always remember me,” said Martin Skrtel after signing his new deal.

GRIGA TAKES OVER

The Slovakian football association has announced that Stanislav Griga and Michal Hipp will be taking over the national team from Vladimir Weiss.

Vladimir Weiss decided to bring an end to his reign as the national team manager of Slovakia back in January.

The Slovakian football association has announced that Stanislav Griga and Michal Hipp will be taking over the national team from Vladimir Weiss.

Vladimir Weiss decided to bring an end to his reign as the national team manager of Slovakia back in January.

The National football Association has been searching for a replacement since then, but the prospect of appointing to managers to work side-by-side certainly appears new indeed. However, the national football Association is extremely confident that they both can take Slovakia to new heights. After the appointment, a statement said that both coaches will have equal say on the team matters.

Michal Hipp has been the interim manager of Slovakia ever since the former manager Vladimir Weiss quit his post. He played 10 games for the national team, but ironically, they were for Czechoslovakia and Slovakia.

This was because Michal Hipp played five matches for Czechoslovakia and the remaining five matches for Slovakia following their separation in 1993. He has been the assistant manager for the national team from 2003 to 2006. The Slovakian national team made their bow in a major tournament at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Michal Hipp played a major role in getting the national team to this World Cup.

“Both coaches will have equal competences,” said a statement on the official site of the Slovakian football Federation. The Slovakian national football team managed a quite stunning 3-2 win over Italy in the group stages of the World Cup, although they lost their next match two World Cup finalists Netherlands. Unfortunately, they have failed to make it into the Euro 2012 this summer. The tournament is cohosted by both Poland and Ukraine and will be beginning in less than a month. Slovakia will be aiming to reach the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

HAMSIK COULD HAVE BEEN AT JUVE

Former Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli has said that Juventus had the opportunity to sign Napoli’s Slovakian star Marek Hamšík when he was at Brescia, but ultimately turned down the opportunity.

It has proved to be a costly affair for Juventus, as they have been struggling to replace the old guard. They have just returned to competing at the top of the Italian Serie A, but Cobolli Gigli reckons that Juventus could have won the title last season had they had a player like Marek Hamšík.

The Slovakian captain is recognised as one of the best players in Italy at the moment. He has been a huge part in helping Napoli qualify for the champions league last season, while they also did well in the actual competition as well.

Cobolli Gigli has revealed that Brescia offered Juventus the opportunity to sign Hamšík when he was an unknown property in world football. However, clubs like Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Barcelona have been trying to sign the player from Napoli. It is thought that the midfielder would command around £ 30 million in transfer value when clubs eventually come for him in the summer. Hamšík came extremely close to moving from Napoli in last summer, but ultimately decided to stay because of the champions league football on offer.

“We had dinner with Brescia president Gino Corioni after a league game. He informed me that they had a real jewel at their disposal in Hamsik, and added that he wanted him to play for us. However, fortunately for Napoli and their president Aurelio De Laurentiis, we waited too long,” Cobolli Gigli said to Il Mattino. Slovakian star Hamšík has so far scored eight goals in just 22 appearances for Napoli this season, while he has also 5 assists to his name.

SKRTEL NAMED PLAYER OF YEAR

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has been named as the Slovakian player of the year for the third time in his career.

Martin Skrtel currently plays for Liverpool as the first choice central defender.

Despite the presence of experienced Jamie Carragher in the squad, Martin Skrtel has been the first choice for Kenny Dalglish this season.

His exploits at the back of the Liverpool defence have not gone unnoticed, as he has won the Slovakian player of the year award. This is the third time he has won the award in his career, thus making it even more special.

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has been named as the Slovakian player of the year for the third time in his career.

Martin Skrtel currently plays for Liverpool as the first choice central defender.

Despite the presence of experienced Jamie Carragher in the squad, Martin Skrtel has been the first choice for Kenny Dalglish this season.

The Slovakian daily newspaper Pravada runs an annual poll in cooperation with the Slovakian football Federation to determine the best Slovakian footballer of the year. Martin Skrtel has been lucky on a number of occasions to win this award. The Slovakian comes on the back of a victory in the Carling cup.

Liverpool won their first trophy since 2006 after they defeated Cardiff city in the final of the Carling cup. The penalty shootout victory may not have been the most convincing for Liverpool, but it did the job. It has provided Liverpool with an impetus to go for the FA Cup as well this season.

This Slovakian player of the year award for Martin Skrtel has been the closest in many seasons, as the Liverpool defender managed to win the award by a close margin of just three points. The award has been running for 19 years now and this has been the closest margin of victory by any player. “What can I say? Three points is just one vote. I won two trophies in two days. It’s fantastic,” Martin Skrtel said after picking up the award in a ceremony held in Trnava. So far, the Liverpool defender has won it in 2007, 2008, and 2011.

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