Hamsik 'proud' after starring role against Russia

Lille (France) (AFP) – Slovakia can now see the second round of Euro 2016 after beating Russia 2-1 in their Group B game Wednesday, goalscorer Marek Hamsik said.

“Of course we are very happy with our first win at a European Championship,” said man of the match Hamsik, who set up the opener for Vladimir Weiss and scored a stunning goal for Slovakia’s second at the Stade Pierre Mauroy. 

“I am very proud and perhaps this has opened up the gates to the second round — we’ll see. I did well and am very proud that I managed to score such a goal — it was brilliant.

“Russia were really strong on the ball. They had more possession and in the second half we were sitting deep and defending all the time.

“Luckily we managed to hold on to the result and we are very happy.”

Slovakia’s first win in the competition as an independent nation, kickstarted Slovakia’s Euro 2016 campaign after they opened Group B with a 2-1 loss to Wales in Bordeaux.

Group rivals England meet Wales in Lens on Thursday before Slovakia face Roy Hodgson’s men in their last group game.