FIFA.com - News

Slovakia coaches Griga, Hipp sacked

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:18:00 GMT

Slovakia Football Association President Jan Kovacik announced Thursday that coaches Stanislav Griga and Michal Hipp have been let go following a series of poor results in Group G of FIFA World Cup™ qualifying.

Belgium move clear, Portugal claim key win

Sat, 08 Jun 2013 03:01:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews Friday's matchday in European qualifying for Brazil 2014 as Belgium and Portugal improved their prospects, while Croatia and Montenegro both stumbled at home.

Crunch time for Portugal in Europe

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 10:09:00 GMT

Russia's trip to face an under-pressure Portugal side is arguably the highlight of an intriguing programme of European Zone qualifiers on Friday, which also includes Belgium-Serbia, Czech Republic-Italy and Austria-Sweden.

Hamsik: I’d like to keep growing with Napoli

Thu, 30 May 2013 11:52:00 GMT

FIFA.com caught up with Napoli and Slovakia striker Marek Hamsik about his time with the Naples-based outfit, missing out on the scudetto and his hopes for FIFA World Cup qualification.

Russia reign supreme in Europe

Sat, 18 May 2013 09:29:00 GMT

After a scoreless 120 minutes of football, Russia beat Italy 5-4 on penalties to claim the 2013 UEFA European U-17 Championship, and a berth to the FIFA U-17 World Cup United Arab Emirates 2013.

Four teams secure UAE 2013 tickets

Wed, 08 May 2013 20:16:00 GMT

Slovakia, Sweden, Russia and Italy have all booked places at UAE 2013 from European qualifying.

Europe’s U-17s fight for continental crown

Sat, 04 May 2013 06:49:00 GMT

There's just six remaining places up for grabs at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, all of which allocated to Europe. Those will be decided over the next 12 days in Slovakia, with eight teams of youngsters battling for a spot at UAE 2013.

Second chance for late bloomer Bakos

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:51:00 GMT

A latecomer to the international scene, Marek Bakos took an unorthodox route to the top. FIFA.com spoke exclusively to the Slovakian forward.

Final draw held for 2013 UEFA U-17 Championship

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 18:58:00 GMT

The final draw for the 2013 UEFA U-17 Championship was held Thursday in Slovakia where the eight teams competing for spots in UAE 2013 have learned their opponents for the tournament in May.

Spain stumble, Portugal rescue point

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 23:25:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews all the action from a massive evening of Brazil 2014 qualifiers in Europe highlighted by a shock draw at home for world champions Spain against Finland, while Portugal narrowly avoided defeat in Israel.

Lithuania and Slovakia share points

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 22:01:00 GMT

Lithuania took an early lead but Slovakia levelled five minutes before the break as the two teams settled for a point each in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group G.

Susic: I'll only be satisfied with victory

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:17:00 GMT

Ahead of their top-of-the-table clash with Greece in Group G, Bosnia-Herzegovina coach Safet Susic has said he won't be satisfied with a draw, while Slovakia will look to get their FIFA World Cup™ qualifying back on track.

Ten-man Toffees down City

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 15:17:00 GMT

Goals from Leon Osman and Nikica Jelavic lifted ten-man Everton over Manchester City at Goodison Park, delivering a potentially deciding blow to City's Premier League title hopes.

FIFA President mourns Zikan death

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 17:05:00 GMT

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter has expressed his sadness at the passing of former Czechoslovakia forward Zdenek Zikan.

Samp hold Napoli, Fiorentina dominate

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 17:00:00 GMT

Napoli's attempt to close in on Juventus' Serie A lead was stymied by Sampdoria, while Catania continued their winning ways with a 1-0 win over Bologna.

Skrtel, Cech win national awards

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 23:33:00 GMT

Liverpool central defender Martin Skrtel has been named Slovakian player of the year for the fourth time, while Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has received the Czech Republic award for the sixth time.

Stoch: You need a bit of luck

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 02:01:00 GMT

Winner of the FIFA Puskás Award for the best goal of 2012, Miroslav Stoch of Fenerbahce and Slovakia spoke to FIFA.com about receiving the prize, which is voted for by fans.

Who should your club sign?

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 10:54:00 GMT

FIFA.com wants to know who you reckon your club should sign in January 2013.

Stoch: Fener have to win titles

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 13:33:00 GMT

Miroslav Stoch speaks to FIFA.com about his career thus far, his amibitions for Fenerbahce and Slovakia, and his bid to win the FIFA Puskás Award.

Happy Birthday to you!

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 07:47:00 GMT

As is tradition at FIFA.com, Sunday is when we look ahead to a week of birthdays across Planet Football, this week including five veterans of the FIFA World Cup™ with a combined total of eight appearances between them.

UEFA confirm multi-city EURO 2020

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:50:00 GMT

UEFA have confirmed that UEFA EURO 2020 will not take place in a single country, instead being staged across multiple cities around the continent.

Ibra turns on the style, France impress again

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 23:10:00 GMT

FIFA.com wraps up a big night of international action across the globe highlighted by an impressive win for France in Italy, a Zlatan Ibrahimovic masterclass and Saudi Arabia denying Argentina.

Drama, draws and dazzling displays

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 23:06:00 GMT

A busy night of international football saw France claim a late win against Italy, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Luis Suarez shine, while Saudi Arabia claimed a famous draw with Argentina.

What is international football’s biggest rivalry?

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 10:36:00 GMT

FIFA.com wants to know what you feel is the biggest rivalry in the international game.

Sting in the tail for Germany, Spain

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 22:58:00 GMT

Surprise results littered Tuesday's 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualification, as Germany let slip a four goal lead to draw 4-4 with Sweden, Northern Ireland held Portugal and France stunned Spain to grab a point in the closing seconds.

Salpingidis the hero as Greece win in Slovakia

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Greece beat Slovakia 1-0 on their travels to move above their opponents into second in their Brazil 2014 qualifying group, with Dimitris Salpingidis the lone scorer.

Karagounis: Greece can beat anybody

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:50:00 GMT

Giorgos Karagounis has expressed his disappointment at Greece dropping points but insisted they will get three points against Slovakia.

Excitement as Euro elite face off

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Five games pit table-toppers against close rivals on Matchday 4 of European Zone qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, as FIFA.com explains.

Slovaks edge Latvia in Bratislava

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 21:44:00 GMT

Two goals in the first nine minutes guided Slovakia to a 2-1 victory over Latvia in their 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Group G qualifying clash in Bratislava.

Latvia coach to miss qualifier

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 14:13:00 GMT

Latvia's head coach Aleksandrs Starkovs will miss his team's qualifier against Slovakia to undergo an appendix operation.

High stakes in Belgrade, Moscow and Piraeus

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 07:08:00 GMT

England, the Netherlands and Sweden may be expected to build up their goal difference on Matchday 3, but in Serbia-Belgium, Russia-Portugal and Greece-Bosnia-Herzegovina, the menu has some fascinating, hard-to-call fixtures.

Powerhouses make steady progress

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:23:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews all the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying action from Europe on a positive evening for the continent's major nations, although both Germany and Spain were made to work overtime before collecting wins.

Slovakia grab win over Liechtenstein

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 22:50:00 GMT

Slovakia scored a goal in each half through Marek Sapara and Martin Jakubko to secure a 2-0 victory over Liechtenstein in Group G of 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualifying.

World champions join the party

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 09:26:00 GMT

After a dramatic opening weekend of FIFA World Cup qualifying action in the European Zone, Spain begin their campaign tomorrow with a match in Georgia. FIFA.com looks ahead to all the action in the old continent.

Big guns hit ground running

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 23:56:00 GMT

The likes of England, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal made winning starts to European Zone qualifying for Brazil 2014, while Italy were held to a 2-2 draw in Bulgaria.

Spoils shared by Lithuania, Slovakia

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 23:08:00 GMT

Both teams had a man sent off as Lithuania and Slovakia drew 1-1 in Group G, with Marek Sapara equalising for the visitors after Marius Zaliukas' opener.

Road to Brazil begins in Europe

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 02:41:00 GMT

All 53 European member associations will be involved in the first round of FIFA World Cup preliminaries this Friday and Saturday as the road to Brazil begins in the Old Continent.

Skrtel pens new Reds deal

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 16:22:00 GMT

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has signed a new long-term contract, the club have announced.

Weiss quits as Slovan coach

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 12:31:00 GMT

Former Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss has quit his position in charge of Slovan Bratislava following a poor run of results in the domestic league and European competition.

Happy birthday to you!

Sun, 22 Jul 2012 09:21:00 GMT

In our regular Sunday feature, FIFA.com presents you with some of the biggest names in football who will be celebrating their birthdays during the coming week.

Inter, Liverpool enter latest round

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 15:01:00 GMT

Inter Milan and Liverpool are among the sides to enter the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League, for which the draw was announced on Friday.

Third qualifying round draw revealed

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 12:36:00 GMT

The draw for the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League was held on Friday, with sides such as Anderlecht, Celtic, Dynamo Kyiv, Feyenoord and Panathinaikos discovering their fate.

Siroki Brijeg draw, Saints face uphill climb

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 22:58:00 GMT

Ten-man Siroki Brijeg held St Patrick's Athletic to a 1-1 draw in the second qualifying round first-leg match for the UEFA Europa League, while the likes of NK Slaven Koprivnica and Eskisehirspor both earned wins.

The cult of the Panenka penalty

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 10:27:00 GMT

Andrea Pirlo's deliciously chipped penalty against England at UEFA EURO 2012 fittingly dates back to one of the competition's most memorable moments. FIFA.com looks at the legacy of Antonin Panenka's ground-breaking 1976 spot-kick.

Brazil conquer, Chile wow the world

Sat, 16 Jun 2012 11:56:00 GMT

On the 50th anniversary of the Chile 1962 Final, FIFA.com reflects on a day of triumph for an exhilarating Brazil side and a country that overcame all odds to host a memorable FIFA World Cup.

Dutch labour to Slovakia win

Wed, 30 May 2012 22:13:00 GMT

The Netherlands laboured to a 2-0 friendly success over Slovakia, profiting from an own goal before Rafael Van der Vaart wrapped things up 15 minutes from time.

Mixed results for EURO hopefuls

Sat, 26 May 2012 23:05:00 GMT

Germany and Netherlands both suffered friendly defeats by Switzerland and Bulgaria respectively, while England recorded a hard-fought 1-0 win over Norway, and Spain won 2-0 over Serbia.

Perquis nods Poles past Slovakia

Sat, 26 May 2012 18:25:00 GMT

Defender Damien Perquis scored his first goal for Poland, helping the UEFA EURO 2012 co-hosts to a 1-0 friendly win over Slovakia.

Hamsik committed to Napoli

Wed, 09 May 2012 11:22:00 GMT

Napoli playmaker Marek Hamsik plans to stay at the club at least until next season, as the Slovakian star has said he wants to win with the Italian side rather than move to one of a host of reportedly interested parties.

Griga, Hipp named Slovakia joint-coaches

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:32:00 GMT

Slovakia has appointed Stanislav Griga and Michal Hipp as their new co-coaches following the departure of Vladimir Weiss.