Hamšík named Slovakian player of the year

Marek Hamšík has been named Slovakia's player of the year for the fourth time at a ceremony in Zilina.

The SSC Napoli midfielder defended last year's title to draw level with Martin Škrtel's record in an annual poll organised by Slovakian daily newspaper Pravda in cooperation with the Slovak Football Association (SFZ).

Hamšík and Škrtel are the only winners of the prize over the past eight years; Hamšík taking the honours in 2009, 2010 and 2013, with Škrtel doing likewise in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012. "Now it's a draw," Hamšík joked to the defender at the awards event. He added: "I appreciate it very much. I have to thank my wife and my two lovely children, my team-mates in the national team and at Napoli, as well as my coaches," said the 27-year-old during Saturday evening's gala.

The accolade caps a fantastic year for former ŠK Slovan Bratislava and Brescia Calcio man Hamšík, particularly given the success of the national side. Slovakia have won seven straight games, including five in UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying in which they lead Group C ahead of Spain and Ukraine. Ján Kozák's men are moving close to reaching the finals of a UEFA European Championship for the first time since Slovakia's independence.

However, Hamšík will not be distracted by the mathematics of the group table. "We can't afford to do that – we just need to keep this run of form going. We had a good start and it would be a huge pity to spoil it. We are all desperate to play in France in 2016," added Hamšík, who pipped Škrtel by just 17 points – the second-smallest margin in the history of the poll. "I hope there are many more years of football left for me and I wish Martin the same," concluded Hamšík, who lifted the 2014 Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup with Napoli.