Poprad HC secured a 3-1 victory over Žilina in a club friendly match on 9 September 2026. The result marks a comfortable away performance for Poprad, who have been stringing together results of late. Žilina, by contrast, showed flashes but could only manage a consolation reply.
Poprad's recent run reads like a steady climb — five wins from five friendlies, including a 6-0 demolition of DAB and a hard-fought 5-4 win over Katowice. Žilina's form tells a different story: three wins and two losses in their last five, with that narrow 2-3 defeat to Dukla Trenčín on 14 August standing out as the blemish.
What stands out is Poprad's ability to grind out results. They've won 5-4 away to Katowice, 5-2 against Prešov, and 5-4 over Dukla Trenčín — matches where the scoreline never felt secure until the final whistle. Žilina's 7-3 thrashing of Zlín last week looked dominant, but the 2-3 loss suggested vulnerability they'll need to address.
Friendly matches like this are about testing shape and finding rhythm. Poprad have played five such games already, while Žilina appear to be further along in their preparation cycle. The 3-1 result doesn't tell the full story of momentum — Poprad's confidence from those recent wins likely carried over.
Both sides now turn their attention to the competitive season. Poprad enter with five wins under their belt and a clear sense of form. Žilina have shown they can score freely but must tighten defensively. The gap between them — two points in their recent records — may prove significant when the real fixtures begin.