Soccer-Slovakia manager Calzona hopes to avoid Italy in Euro 2024 draw

Soccer Football - Euro 2024 Qualifier - Group J - Slovakia v Liechtenstein - Tehelne pole, Bratislava, Slovakia - September 11, 2023 Slovakia coach Francesco Calzona reacts REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa/ File photo

(Reuters) - Francesco Calzona's journey has take him from coffee salesman to guiding Slovakia to the Euro 2024 finals, and in Saturday's draw the manager is hoping to avoid his native Italy, at least until the knockout stages.

Calzona's Slovakia are in Pot 3 for the draw, ranked above defending champions Italy in Pot 4, but he would prefer not to be drawn in the same group as Luciano Spalletti's side, a coach he has previously worked under.