The Italian knows his side will be underdogs in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday, but he has been written off his whole career and will relish a shot at causing a major upset.
Calzona was a coffee sales rep for a family-run business when he began coaching amateur teams more than 20 years ago. He has steadily carved himself a coaching career which now puts him on collision course with England after Slovakia secured a spot in the knockout stage by finishing third in Group E, courtesy of a 1-1 draw with Romania yesterday.
A long-time assistant of former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri at Napoli, Calzona has got Slovakia this far in style in what is his first job as a manager.
He promised before the tournament to play "beautiful football" and stunned Belgium by beating them 1-0 in their opening game before going on finish the group stage with four points.
"This team has quality," said Slovakian journalist Lukas Vrablik. "I have been watching Slovakia since
2004 and this is probably the strongest team we have had since then, even if we don't have Marek Hamsik anymore.
"The players will feel that England are there for the taking and they can.
Denne historien er fra June 27, 2024-utgaven av Evening Standard.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June 27, 2024-utgaven av Evening Standard.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Don't Want Botox? Then Try These Alternatives
From microcurrents to lasers, there are other ways to tackle ageing skin, says Madeleine Spencer
It's high time the Borthwick regime delivers on promise
England boss needs a statement win and the All Blacks are up first
Bukayo Saka
The making of a London icon
Even Ridley Scott thinks our big screens are epic
Outernet is now one of London's top attractions --but the man behind it isn't resting on his laurels
Laura Bailey on why Margate is her favourite escape in the UK
Incredible light, sea air, galleries galore and only two hours from Victoria: it's the model and photographer's dreamland...
The Old Operating Theatre
St Thomas Street, SE1
Can drugs like Ozempic really help to getthe economy firing again?
Labour's plan to give the unemployed weight-loss jabs may have unintended consequences, reports William Hosie
AI is the new frontier of perfumery...But just how fragrantare these scents?
Choosing a signature scent is a highly personal experience. Not only do preferences differ greatly, but certain perfumes react differently depending on your skin. Bergamot top notes may be intoxicating on one person's wrist, but seem soapy on another.
Is it time to ditch the apps and embrace the science of love at first sight?
The chemistry of love isn't just a romantic ideal - it's a scientific reality, discovers
A poetic puzzlebox
This lyrical novel sets out to dazzle and terrify
