Slovakia's World Cup stamp issue. Photo (source: Courtesy of Slovenská Pošta)
ON JUNE 8, as Slovakia’s national football team was leaving for South Africa and the World Cup, Slovenská Pošta issued a special postage stamp in honour of the team and the competition. The postage stamp has the motif of a footballer kicking a ball and was printed by offset process on a foil sheet containing two stamps, each with a nominal value of €2.30.
“World Cup football is one of the most-watched sporting events, attracting the attention of fans from all over the world. This year, for the first time, the Slovak team has fought its way into the ranks of the best football teams going to South Africa. To recognise this success, we decided to offer fans a unique stamp that will commemorate Slovakia’s first participation,” Martin Vančo of the Postal Philatelic Service said.
In the background of the print, part of a stadium is shown. On the backside, groups are depicted with national flags of countries which are competing in the 2010 World Cup. Included with the stamp and the first-day cover of the issue and the FDC stamp, are the date of June 8 and the domicile of Bratislava as the place of issuance. The main motif of the imprint is a footballer whose phases of motion are graphically designed into a circle. The designer of the postage stamp, the first-day cover, as well as the FDC stamp is Ivana Sarah Avni; Adrian Ferda designed the sheet. The commemorative stamp is valid for domestic and international mail until it has been duly cancelled.
