DPA
Berlin
Slovakia are proud to have reached the last 16 at Euro 2024 but will need “a perfect day” to beat England for a place in the quarter-finals, veteran defender Peter Pekarik has said.
“A top favourite for the whole European Championship awaits us on Sunday,” Pekarik told Saturday’s edition of daily Berliner Zeitung.
“We need a perfect day from all the players against England, everyone will have to push themselves to the limit again, perhaps even beyond. But we’re looking forward to the showdown.”
Pekarik, who is 37 and has 129 caps, said he is “very happy and grateful that we are among the 16 best teams,” and “very proud of our entire team because we made a very good impression after every match.
“Our biggest advantage is our teamwork, our team spirit, our unity, our modesty. In the national team, we are one big football family that sticks together not only on the pitch but also off it,” he said.
Slovakia came third in tight Group E where all four teams finished level on four points. They stunned Belgium 1-0, lost 2-1 against Ukraine, and drew 1-1 with Romania.
The 2021 runners-up England won Group C but have not been convincing heading into the last 16 game in Gelsenkirchen.
Right back Pekarik also said that he is not considering retirement after the expiration of his contract at German second division club Hertha Berlin, where he has played since 2012.
“I don’t feel mentally or physically exhausted, I have strength and a great desire to continue playing at the highest level. That’s why I believe that there are more footballing challenges ahead of me,” he said.
