Slovakia go into their first European Championship as an independent nation after a qualification campaign in which they ended Spain's 36-match unbeaten run in qualifying.

SOUNDBITE: (Slovak) Robert Vittek, Slovakia striker:

"Our primary target, just like for every other team, is to make it through the qualifiers. Among these, the most important one will be the first game against Wales. If we get points against them, our hopes will be still alive. Then we will play against Russia and then against England and this one will be the top game. I am hopeful we will make it through the qualifiers."

SOUNDBITE: (Slovak) Robert Vittek, Slovakia striker:

"Of course, Marek Hamsik and Martin Skrtel are the leaders in our team as they play at big clubs and the young players can always learn something good, something new from them. Of the young players, I expect good performances from (Patrik) Hrosovsky, (Robert) Mak and (Vladimir) Weiss. They are good players and great careers are waiting for them but we have even more good players. I believe that this tournament in France will help these three young players to find good clubs."

SOUNDBITE: (Slovak) Robert Vittek, Slovakia striker:

"I was there in South Africa and we can say that I'm the most experienced member of the team when it comes to international games. I really want to help the younger players. I tell them, 'If you run out to the field for the first game, play like it is your last game. So put your back into it and leave your hearts on the field.' When we were in South Africa and played against Italy, everyone said it didn't really matter, but we put our backs into it and defeated Italy and qualified for the knockout stages."