On Saturday, Slovakia came within minutes of qualifying for the World Cup. Instead, a 2-2 draw with former compatriots Czech Republic means that Slovakia will have to wait for the next game, Wednesday's match against Northern Ireland, to try again.
The rivalry between Slovakia and the Czech Republic is good-natured, but always emotional. "Obviously, every sports game between Czech and Slovak Republics after the 1993 Velvet Divorce of Czechoslovakia is a bedlam game, very emotional and enthusiastic," said a spokesman at the office of the mayor of Bratislava before Saturday's match. "Much more for smaller and often overlooked Slovakia than for Czech Republic. Now, we have the first real chance to qualify for the big sports event in the most popular game on earth. It is the Match of the Year here."
Despite the draw, Slovakia still sit atop group three with 16 points from seven games. The Czech Republic, a more powerful soccer nation than Slovakia since the countries split in 1993, sits mired in fifth place in the group, with only nine points from seven games.