It felt like the opposition were hunting him. Tomáš Suslov did not just carry the creative load for Slovakia’s Under-21s – he absorbed the bruises too. Fouled 24 times across three group matches, no player at the European Under-21 Championship came close to being targeted so relentlessly, writes Sportnet.
Behind Suslov, there is daylight. Three players – Slovenia’s Marko Brest (11), Poland’s Mariusz Fornalczyk (8) and Romania’s Rareș Ilie (8) – followed, according to UEFA.com. Suslov tripled that tally. Thirteen of those infractions came against Italy, who seemed to build their match plan around stopping him, legally or otherwise.
An average of eight fouls per game at a major tournament? That is unheard of. Most playmakers attract attention. Suslov was a magnet.
Tomáš Suslov (source: TASR – Pavel Neubauer)
Slovakia’s campaign in Group A ended with just three points and no quarter-final spot. But in a tournament where team progress matters, individual impact still resonates – and Suslov’s numbers scream for attention.
The Verona attacking midfielder was not just the most fouled. He also led the entire tournament in shots on target (6) and, until recently, in total shots (10) – before being overtaken by the Netherlands’ Million Manhoef. He scored twice and posted the second-highest number of successful dribbles at the Euros. If there had been an official group stage All-Star XI, he would have been inked in.
Even against Spain and Italy – nations stacked with elite prospects – Suslov’s quality stood out. Were he more efficient at club level, he might already be commanding a fee in the tens of millions, according to Sportnet.
He was not the only Slovak making scouts take notes.
Adrián Kaprálik, the Žilina winger, fired off nine shots – though just one tested the keeper. Still, he was a constant outlet and a willing runner.
Adrián Kaprálik (source: TASR)
And in SofaScore’s ratings, Slovakia placed two players inside the top five overall. Germany’s Nick Woltemade (9.1) topped the list, thanks to four goals and two assists. But Tomáš Rigo ranked fifth, and Suslov seventh – outshining talents from nations with far bigger reputations.
Standout players at the 2025 Under-21 European Championship (source: SofaScore)
It was not just the attack impressing, either.
Centre-back Jakub Jakubko won the ball back 21 times – the third-highest total in this category at the tournament. Full-back Samuel Kopásek led all defenders in interceptions (8). Adam Obert, a regular for Cagliari, finished with the second-most clearances (22), regularly stepping in when Slovakia’s back line came under pressure.
For a team that did not advance, Slovakia punched well above their weight in the data. And for Suslov, bruises or not, this might be the summer he announced himself to Europe.