´It´s still open´ – Hamsik bullish ahead of Slovakia´s Spain decider

Marek Hamsik remains bullish about Slovakia’s hopes of reaching the Euro 2020 knockout stage ahead of their final group game away to Spain.

Slovakia lost 1-0 to Sweden on Friday in St Petersburg, leaving them on three points from two games after defeating Poland 2-1 in their opening fixture.

Spain, who drew 0-0 with Sweden on matchday one, face on Poland in Seville on Saturday, before their final group clash with Slovakia, which will determine group placings.

“It’s still open. We have to recover well,” Slovakia star Hamsik said after the Sweden defeat.

“Spain are the group favourites and also contenders to win the tournament. It will be very challenging.”

Sweden scored the game’s only goal in the 77th minute from an Emil Forsberg penalty, won after a foul from goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

The goal prevented Slovakia from taking a strong position in Group E, with Sweden moving into top spot on four points, ahead of Hamsik’s side on three.

“It’s a pity,” Hamsik added. “If they hadn’t scored from a penalty we would probably have got a draw, and it would have been a ‘golden’ point.

“We were a little more passive in the second half and we paid dearly for it.”

Forsberg’s penalty ended a run of 365 minutes without a goal for Sweden at the European Championship, marking their first since their opening game at Euro 2016 against the Republic of Ireland.

Sweden head coach Janne Andersson was delighted with his side’s position after two games and praised Real Sociedad star Alexander Isak – who impressed and played a part in winning the decisive penalty with his pass for Robin Quaison.

“It’s really good to see him on the pitch, he’s a huge talent,” Andersson said. “He’s a young player who’s still got a lot of room for improvement. I think there is a lot more to come from him. He played really well today.”

6 – Alexander Isak completed six dribbles against Slovakia; the most by a player in a game at EURO 2020 so far, and the most by a Swedish player in a game at the tournament since Tomas Brolin at EURO 1992 (7 v Denmark). Slalom. #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/Kjb0vFeNGH

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 18, 2021