With their backs against the wall, Albert Rusnak and Slovakia responded with a convincing 3-0 victory over Sweden in their last group match of the u21 UEFA championships.
For the third match in a row, Rusnak started and went the full 90 minutes for the little falcons.
Monday's result secures Slovakia second place in Group A.
Their fate in the knockout rounds won't be decided until Saturday's Group C results are finalized.
The following criteria is how the two runner-ups advancing will be decided:
a) higher number of points;
b) superior goal difference;
c) higher number of goals scored
d) lower disciplinary points total based only on yellow and red cards received in all group matches (red card = 3 points, yellow card = 1 point, expulsion for two yellow cards in one match = 3 points);
e) position in the UEFA Under-21 national team coefficient ranking for the final draw.
Article update:
Slovakia has been eliminated from the UEFA u21 tournament.
Going into the final day, Slovakia were the best second-placed side on goal difference (+3), with Portugal unable to go through from Group B (+2).
Italy couldn't finish as best runners-up as in the only scenario in which they could have come second, their overall goal difference would be inferior to Slovakia's. The Azzurrini defeated Germany, though, and Germany's goal difference of +4 took them through!
