Posts Tagged ‘Marek Hamsik’

Hamsik: Players can handle pressure

Friday, June 4th, 2010

Slovakia captain Marek Hamsik does not believe FIFA World Cup™ hysteria is affecting his players.

This is the country’s first FIFA World Cup and the level of interest in the country is enormous.

The Slovaks face Costa Rica in Bratislava on Saturday 5 June, before they jet out to South Africa.

Hamsik also has media calls and book signings to contend with but asked if it was a distraction he said: “No, no.”

The Napoli midfielder told the Slovakian FA’S official website: “We are pleased that the people of Slovakia are so interested in our progress at the World Cup.

“Therefore I am personally very pleased to deal with signatures and pose for pictures and movies. It’s for their memories. Perhaps such events to help popularise football in our country even more is just what our sport needs.”

Hamsik named player of the year

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Marek HamsikMarek Hamsik’s role in captaining Slovakia to their first ever FIFA World Cup™ finals this year in South Africa won him the 2009 player of the year award on Monday.

The 22-year-old midfielder – who plays for Serie A highflyers Napoli – edged out Bochum striker Stanislav Sestak and Legia Warsaw goalkeeper Jan Mucha in the poll. Slovakian national coach Vladimir Weiss was named coach of the year.

Slovakia have been drawn in Group F for June’s finals alongside defending champions Italy, New Zealand and Paraguay.