Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik has welcomed Slovakia being grouped with Italy for next year's World Cup.
Hamsik will face Italy in the World Cup and hopes his Slovakia will go through along with the Azzurri.
"I am very happy to be facing Italy, because it is always an honour to take on the reigning world champions," said the midfielder.
Group F has Marcello Lippi's men pitted against Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia.
"I honestly believe there are much tougher groups than ours and it's always a very special occasion to be playing against Italy.
"I know many of the Azzurri squad and so it'll be an extra pleasure for me to encounter players I already saw in Serie A action," continued Hamsik.
"It's certainly going to be an exciting and emotional match. We Slovaks hope to beat New Zealand in the opening match, so we can give ourselves the right boost to keep going.
"Hopefully we can qualify along with Italy. That would be wonderful."