Germany v Slovakia background

Germany have powered through to the UEFA EURO 2016 round of 16 without conceding a goal, but are coming up against the last side to beat them – Slovakia, in a pre-EURO friendly.

Previous meetings
• The ten meetings between these nations have comprised seven Germany wins, three for Slovakia and no draws.

• In their most recent encounter, Slovakia defeated an inexperienced German side 3-1 in an Augsburg friendly on 29 May. Mario Gomez's penalty gave the hosts the lead, with Marek Hamšík, Michal Ďuriš and Juraj Kucka replying for Slovakia.
 
• Germany overcame the Slovaks home and away during UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying, a 4-1 victory in Bratislava – with Lukas Podolski scoring twice and Bastian Schweinsteiger once – preceding a 2-1 success in Hamburg.

• Those are the only two competitive internationals between the countries, each having also beaten the other 2-0 at home in previous friendlies, with Miroslav Karhan's double against Jürgen Klinsmann's team in September 2005 bringing Slovakia one of their most memorable wins.

EURO facts: Germany
• Germany have not conceded in four games (including three at UEFA EURO 2016) since their pre-tournament reversal against Slovakia.

• Germany have already played at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in this championship, dispatching Ukraine 2-0 in their opening match.

• Die Mannschaft are participating in their 12th successive EURO since missing out on the final tournament as West Germany in 1968, their first attempt.

• EURO winners in 1972, 1980 and 1996 – and three-time runners-up – Germany have failed to make it through the group stage on three occasions, in 1984, 2000 and 2004. 

©Getty Images

EURO facts: Slovakia
• Slovakia won their only match at the Stade Pierre Mauroy to date, seeing off Russia 2-1 in their second Group B outing at these finals.

• While Slovakia have never before competed at a UEFA European Championship as an independent nation, as part of Czechoslovakia they figured in three four-team final tournaments.

• Czechoslovakia finished third in 1960 and 1980 and lifted the trophy in 1976. Eight of the 11 players who started the '76 final against West Germany – and triumphed on penalties after a 2-2 draw – hailed from Slovakia.

• Slovakia got to the 2016 finals thanks mainly to wins in their first six Group C qualifiers, a sequence that included a 2-1 home success against Spain – the holders' first qualifying defeat in 36 games and nine years.

Coach and player links
• Former team-mates:
Jonas Hector and Dušan Švento(1. FC Köln, 2014-16)

• Slovak internationals Peter Pekarík (Hertha BSC Berlin) and Švento (1. Köln) played in the Bundesliga during the season just ended, though Švento has since signed for SK Slavia Praha.

• Róbert Mak (1. FC Nürnberg from 2010-14), Adam Nemec (1. FC Kaiserslautern, FC Ingolstadt, 1. FC Union Berlin 2009-15) and Stanislav Šesták (VfL Bochum 1848, 2007-10, 2014-15) also played in Germany.

• Germany striker Gomez will celebrate his 31st birthday on 10 July – the day of the UEFA EURO 2016 final.