- 10:17 PM Where do economists' see Q2 GDP headed?
- 10:04 PM Revealed: Exposure of Indian realty cos to Dubai m...
- 09:59 PM Dubai debt crisis just a trigger, 4500 Nifty key: ...
- 09:16 PM Dubai crisis confirms undue leverage fears: Roubin...
- 08:26 PM Patni promoters to set up a VC fund: Sources
- 08:21 PM November 28-30: Events to watch out for
- 07:27 PM Barclays Bk, Calyon Bk move Bombay HC against Wock...
- 07:17 PM Nirmal Bang's after market report
- 07:13 PM Prestige Group to file DRHP soon: Sources
- 07:11 PM Karnataka govt approves Mittal's Rs 30K cr steel p...


By Martin Santa
BRATISLAVA (Reuters) - Slovakia's appearance at the 2010 World Cup finals will finally bring soccer out of the shadows of ice hockey in the small central European country, said coach Vladimir Weiss.
The Slovaks won the ice hockey world championship in 2002 and the sport has dominated headlines for years.
"I believe reaching the World Cup finals is a unique event to change the public view -- soccer can reach a new position in society," Weiss told Reuters in an interview.
Slovakia qualified for the finals for the first time since becoming independent in 1993 by finishing top of European Group Three during a campaign that included wins over Poland and more illustrious neighbours the Czech Republic.
"The biggest win for me is not reaching the final tournament, but the fact that tens of thousands of people came to see the match against Slovenia," 45-year-old Weiss added referring to their penultimate qualifier.
"The nation has awakened, they believe in us."
SOCCER FAMILY
Weiss, who played for Czechoslovakia at the 1990 World Cup and was Artmedia Petrzalka coach when they reached the Champions League group stage in 2005/06, has been widely praised for turning a modest team into a well-organised outfit.
"I've inherited the love for soccer, we're a soccer family," Weiss said. "My father used to tell me that I've kicked a ball since I was a baby... I saw it later through my son's love for soccer," he said of 19-year-old Manchester City winger and Slovak international Vladimir Weiss.
Weiss senior believes Slovakia's success in getting to next year's World Cup in South Africa could prompt officials and sponsors to pour money into soccer back home, improve the infrastructure and repair and build new stadiums.
The Slovak Soccer Association was established in 1938 and, with almost 430,000 members, is the country's biggest organisation, with some 5,000 events taking place every week.
"Soccer can deliver magic, you can do almost everything with soccer," Weiss said. "If you are doing great you have all doors open, and it's good to use this opportunity," he said.
"We will go to fight for the best possible result. We're not going to South Africa on holiday, we're going to play. The ball is round and we can always surprise."
(Editing by Alison Wildey
To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Business
Business News | Economy | Earnings | BSE NSE Notices
General News
Current Affairs | Politics | World News | Sports | Entertainment
Corporate Strategy
Management | Advertising | Marketing | Legal
Personal Finance
Tax | Insurance | Credit Cards | Loans | Property | Retirement | Investment Help | Financial Planning | Fixed Income
Markets
Local Market | Global Market | Market Cues | Analysis | Expert & FII outlook | Brokerage Recomendation
Stocks
Stocks in News | Expert Advice | ADRs & GDRs | IPO
Mutual Funds
News | Advice | MF Analysis | Fund Managers Views
Lifestyle
Travel | Wellness | Technology | Auto| Books
-
Most Read
-
Most Viewed
- Dubai crisis: Which Indian companies may be affected
- 10 Companies that FIIs love
- Dubai jitters: Will bears overtake investor confidence now?
- Don't worry about Dubai crisis, buy on dips: Experts

- 10 companies that MF managers love
- All you need to know about the Dubai debt crisis
- Should you stop picking stocks?
- Mkts singe in Dubai crisis, end down despite smart recovery
- Dubai debt crisis just a trigger, 4500 Nifty key: Experts

- Dubai crisis confirms undue leverage fears: Roubini Global

- China`s 50-year bond
Source: ft.com
- Lanco Infra tying up funds for three power projects
Source: Business Line
- RIL units to get 20% of gas needs from D-6
Source: Business Line
- No need to ban cotton export, says Maran
Source: Business Line










