Preview: Estonia vs Slovakia
- Soccer News 2024/09/04 07:26
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After failing to qualify for their first-ever major tournament by falling short of the top-two places in their Euro 2024 qualifying group, Estonia has participated in four friendly fixtures during the 2024 international calendar. This includes a penalty-shootout victory over Lithuania on June 11.
The Blueshirts achieved their largest victory in terms of scoreline since the 4-0 win against European minnows San Marino in September 2022. In their most recent match, they secured a 4-1 success over the Faroe Islands, who were clearly outplayed in Tallinn.
Following their triumph in the 2022-23 edition of the UEFA Nations League - finishing at the top of a section containing Malta and San Marino without dropping any points - Estonia is aiming for back-to-back promotions in order to reach League B.
Their previous Nations League victory provided them with a potential route to Euro 2024 via playoffs. However, Estonia suffered a crushing defeat of 5-1 in the semi-final against Robert Lewandowski and Poland, who eventually defeated Wales in the final to secure a spot at Europe's premier football event.
On Thursday evening, Slovakia return to competitive action for the first time since that fateful day in Gelsenkirchen on 30 June, when the Eastern Europeans looked set to knock tournament favourites England out of Euro 2024 in the last 16, but a certain Real Madrid superstar had other plans.
Ivan Schranz's third goal of the competition put the Falcons ahead in the first half, but a last-ditch bicycle kick from Jude Bellingham saved Gareth Southgate's blushes before a clinical header from Harry Kane earned the Three Lions a point in extra time.
Francesco Calzona, who will reach the 25-match mark for Slovakia in this Nations League campaign, has instilled a competitiveness in his side that saw them beat Belgium and draw with dark horses Romania at Euro 2008 in Germany.
The Falcons struggled in the 2022-23 edition of the Nations League and failed to mount a serious challenge for promotion to League B, finishing third out of four teams in a League C section, behind league winners Kazakhstan and runners-up Azerbaijan.
Estonia possible starting lineup:
Vallner; Schjonning-Larsen, Peetson, Tur, Mets, Kuraksin; Shein, Palumets, Saarma, Tamm; Anier
Slovakia possible starting lineup:
Dubravka; Pekarik, Vavro, Skirinar, Hancko; Kucka, Lobotka, Duda; Schranz, Haraslin, Strelec
Prediction:Estonia 0-2 Slovakia
Estonia VS Slovakia stream and TV listing
International:Holasports
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