As Slovakia face world champions Germany, bwfc.co.uk profiles a former Wanderers loanee who will be looking to help the Slovaks clinch a shock victory
On the scoresheet for Slovakia in their victory over Russia before helping them progress in the competition courtesy of a 0-0 draw with England last week, bwfc.co.uk profile a former Wanderers loanee who will be one of his nation’s danger men against world champions Germany in their round-of-16 clash this afternoon.
VLADIMIR WEISS
SLOVAKIA (2009-PRESENT)
53 CAPS 5 GOALS
European Championships: 1 (EURO 2016)
Best Stage Reached: TBC
Tournament Appearances: 3
Tournament Goals: 1
Having helped Slovakia reach the knockout stages in their first ever World Cup back in 2010, Vladimir Weiss helped ensure lightning struck twice as his homeland progressed to the Euro 2016 knockout stages in their maiden European Championships appearance this summer.
Boasting a strong footballing background with his father and grandfather, both also named Vladimir, international footballers for Slovakia and Czechoslovakia respectively, the Bratislava-born winger started his career with local side Inter Bratislava before joining Manchester City.
A member of the City side that won the FA Youth Cup in 2008, alongside fellow future Wanderers loanees Daniel Sturridge and Dedryck Boyata, he scored in the second leg of the final as the Citizens clinched a 4-2 aggregate victory over Chelsea.
Handed his senior debut the following year, Weiss came on as a substitute in City’s final day victory over Bolton at the end of the 2008/09 season.
The wideman made his international debut soon after, also coming on as a substitute for Slovakia, managed by father Vladimir, in a 1-1 friendly draw with Iceland in August 2009.
A regular for the Slovakians during the second half of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, he started in their final four qualifiers as they booked their place at the finals in South Africa.
Netting his first senior goal for Manchester City in a League Cup victory over Arsenal in December 2009, Weiss joined Bolton Wanderers on loan until the end of the season the following month.
The winger made his Premier League debut within 24 hours of completing the move, coming on as a late substitute in the Trotters’ 1-0 victory over Burnley.
However, he struggled to make an impact at the Reebok Stadium as he was utilized mainly as a substitute, having to wait until late April to make his first start for the club.
Going on to start Wanderers’ final three games of the season, recording three assists along the way, Weiss was included in his father’s squad for the World Cup.
Completing 90 minutes in Slovakia’s opening two games against New Zeland and Paraguay, he was an unused substitute as they famously beat Italy to progress in the competition, before returning to the starting XI as they suffered a second round exit to eventual runners-up, the Netherlands.
Spending the following season on loan at Rangers, the winger netted his first Slovakia goal in a Euro 2012 qualifying victory over Armenia in October 2010, before helping the Gers clinch a Premier League and League Cup double during his year in Scotland.
Moving on to join La Liga side Espanyol on loan for the 2011/12 season, Slovakia failed to qualify for Euro 2012, with his father resigning as manager as a result.
Joining newly-promoted Serie A side Pescara on a permanent deal that summer, he spent just one season in Italy before signing for Greek side Olympiacos in June 2013.
However, he was on the move again just six months later as he joined Qatar-based club Lekhwiya SC in January 2014, with Olympiacos going on to lift the Superleague Greece in his absence.
Having seen Slovakia also fail to qualify for the 2014 World Cup, Weiss bounced back with his new club as Lekhwiya were crowned Qatar Stars League champions in both 2013/14 and 2014/15.
Remaining a key player for Slovakia, the winger impressed as they qualified automatically for Euro 2016, missing just two qualifiers along the way.
Setting up a goal in Slovakia’s famous victory over reigning European champions Spain in October 2014, he was also on the scoresheet in their home victory over Luxembourg the following March, before registering three assists in their return qualifier against the same opponents.
Also setting up goals in warm-up friendly clashes with Switzerland and world champions Germany, he was unable to prevent Slovakia from suffering defeat in their opening Euro 2016 Group B match against Wales.
However, the winger bounced back to net a memorable strike to open the scoring in their second outing against Russia, before setting up Marek Hamsik's winner as they held on to clinch a 2-1 victory.
Progressing to the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed teams after drawing 0-0 with England, Weiss will be looking to catch the eye once again as the Slovaks look to extend their stay in the competition and pull of a shock against Germany later today.
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