Gibraltar vs. Slovakia Live Score, Preview, Predictions, Schedule 1:30 p.m. EST: International Friendly 2013
Gibraltar and Slovakia will face off in an international friendly on Tuesday.
That match will be the first for the Gibraltar soccer team after it was officially recognized by UEFA earlier in 2013. The match will take place in Faro Portugal.
The federation has been seeking independence for years but has met constant opposition from Spain and Belarus. However, UEFA made the team its 54th member in June. The nation will be able to compete for qualification to the 2016 European Championship in France. However, the federation has not been recognized by FIFA and will be unable to compete for the 2018 World Cup qualification at the moment.
"I will be very emotional and nervous. It's a dream come true, one I've had ever since I can remember: to see my flag flying out there on the pitch, at the highest level," Dennis Beiso, the chief executive of the Gibraltar FA said according to Reuters.
The team has played a number of matches in its history, but they have never been officially allowed to compete with major nations outside of Greenland, Jersey and Isle of Man; the team also tied Real Madrid in 1929.
Other nations that are not fully independent states but have their own national teams include Scotland, Wales and Faroe Islands.
Prediction: This will be an emotional game for Gibraltar. Look for the team to overwhelm the opposition and come away with a solid 1-0 win.
Start Time: Kick off begins at 1:30 p.m. EST