England players are probably unaware of Slovakia left-back David Hancko, but he will know their games inside out come kick-off in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday.
Hancko has been one of the standout players for Slovakia in their run to the last 16, and key to his success so far in Germany has been a little notebook.
In the days before each match, the 26-year-old Feyenoord defender watches clips of the opposition he is about to face and jots down a load of information. Then, in the dressing room before kick-off, he reads everything back and closes his eyes to visualise the game ahead.
“I have done it for 100 or 200 games,” Hancko revealed this season. “I always check it. It also has a photo of my wife and son, so I always see them before the game.
“I have it in my backpack, so when we go away it’s always there. It goes to every game.”
Hancko is likely to be key to Slovakia’s chances of an upset this weekend. He will be tasked with stopping Bukayo Saka, but has shown with his performances so far that he will be a threat going the other way, too.
Hancko has excelled since joining Feyenoord from Sparta Prague two years ago and is attracting interest from several big European outfits this summer.
He worked with new Liverpool boss Arne Slot at Feyenoord and has been linked with a move to Anfield.
Under Slot, he flourished as a ball-playing centre-back, and no player completed more passes in the Dutch top-flight last season. Hancko has also caught the eye with his ability to dribble out from the back.
For Slovakia, he plays at left-back, which is a position he played during his youth career. Hancko has relished the role and become a key player for his national side, especially in attack.
Slovakia head coach Francesco Calzona likes his team to hit their opponents on the counter, and Hancko helps them have success on the break.
He is given the licence to get forward, and finished their qualifying campaign with two goals and three assists. No Slovakia player was directly involved in more goals.
At 6ft 2in, Hancko is a threat from set-pieces, too. But his crossing has proved a dangerous weapon, which is fitting for a player who grew up idolising David Beckham.
He has performed well for Slovakia at this tournament, particularly in their opening 1-0 win against Belgium.
His crossing has proved a dangerous weapon, which is fitting for a player who grew up idolising David Beckham
Hancko earned plaudits for the way he managed to come back from a tough start against tricky Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku, and he rounded off a fine display with a stunning goal-line clearance.
Slovakia’s left side is probably their biggest threat, and Hancko has struck up a good relationship with winger Lukas Haraslin.
Haraslin is lightning quick, and his desire to cut inside leaves space for Hancko to push on the overlap.
The pair combined brilliantly during Slovakia’s second game against Ukraine, which they lost 2-1, linking up through a clever throw-in routine that allowed Ivan Schranz to score at the back post. England take note.
