Daniel’s strike gives Spartak Trnava Slovak Cup glory and a path to Europe

For the third time in four years, Spartak Trnava are Slovnaft Cup winners. In a tense, often disjointed final in Dunajská Streda on 1 May, Erik Daniel’s first-half strike proved decisive as Spartak avenged last season’s heartbreak against MFK Ružomberok with a narrow 1-0 win.

Final of the Slovak Cup — Slovnaft Cup (12 photos)

Daniel’s goal came on the half-hour. When Michal Ďuriš mis-hit his shot, the ball broke kindly to Daniel, who kept his composure and fired low past Ružomberok’s Hugo Jan Bačkovský. It was a scrappy moment in a scrappy match, but it ultimately defined the evening.

Ružomberok, to their credit, created the better chances overall. They squandered no fewer than five excellent opportunities, including a penalty just before the hour when Samuel Lavrinčík dragged his shot wide.

The contest was briefly halted after the hour when smoke from flares thrown by Trnava fans engulfed the pitch. Once order was restored, Ružomberok pushed hard, but their final ball too often let them down. Ondřej Smetana’s side ended the match with more possession, more shots and more regrets.

By contrast, Spartak managed the closing stages expertly. They slowed the game down, controlled possession and frustrated their tiring opponents. The final whistle sparked jubilant scenes among the red-and-black faithful, whose noisy presence had dominated the night both on and off the pitch.

Victory not only gives Spartak their ninth Slovak Cup, but also secures a place in next season’s Europa League qualifiers. “We went all-in on this,” admitted head coach Michal Gašparík. “Losing was not an option.”

The build-up to the final had been dominated by security concerns. Thousands of Trnava fans travelled south, prompting the town of Dunajská Streda to urge residents to avoid public spaces and for businesses to close. Even a local cemetery remained shut. The Slovak Football Association criticised these measures as “unreasonable and disrespectful”. Ultimately, apart from the pyrotechnics, the night passed largely without incident.

For Ružomberok, there will be a lingering sense of what might have been. They were more adventurous, created the better chances and yet fell short. “We had the game in our hands,” rued Smetana. “But football is about taking your chances, and we didn’t.”