Following Slovakia's 4-1 victory against Finland, expectations were high for a more decisive win against Italy. Coach Vladimír Országh acknowledged the psychological and tactical preparations required for his players, especially against experienced Finnish coach Jukka Jalonen, noting that the match against Italy turned out to be more challenging than anticipated. Slovakia’s narrow win of 3-2 highlighted a need for improvement in discipline, as they accumulated six penalties, which kept the Italians in the game longer than they should have been.

Országh pointed out that while the Slovak team had previously managed to be disciplined against Finland, their performance against Italy raised concerns due to the increased number of penalties. He stressed that this lack of discipline not only put them at a disadvantage but also provided opportunities for the Italian team to remain competitive despite being considered the underdog. The need for a strategy to minimize penalties and maintain composure will be crucial for Slovakia going forward.

Furthermore, Országh recognized standout performances, particularly from player Juraj Slafkovský, indicating that Slafkovský is evolving beyond being merely a supporter of star players like Suzuki and Caufield. This development not only reflects positively on Slafkovský’s growth as a player but also suggests a broader potential for the Slovak team as they prepare for upcoming challenges. Discipline, teamwork, and individual excellence will be key themes as Slovakia aims to advance in their tournament efforts.