Pavel in Shanghai and Andrej in Miami

Friday & Saturday

Around the world with Pavel Kadeřábek and Andrej Kramarić

Pavel Kadeřábek travelled to Shanghai, around 8,900 kilometres from Hoffenheim for the China Cup 2018. Kadeřábek and the Czech Republic’s first opponents were Uruguay. Four Bundesliga players, namely Pavel Kadeřábek, Vladimir Darida (Hertha BSC), Jiri Pavlenka and Theodor Gebre Selassie (both Werder Bremen) were named in the starting XI, which lost 2-0 in the end. Uruguay will play Wales in Monday’s final, while Pavel and Co. face hosts China for third place (KO 08:35 CEST).

Andrej Kramarić is also on a trip around the globe. Croatia are playing their friendlies in the USA; in Miami to be precise, where the Hoffenheim forward was brought on from the bench in the 64th minute against Peru. The 26-year-old had one big chance after another, but was consistently denied by the Peruvian goalkeeper. Croatia lost the match 2-0. Andrej and his team now continue their travels, heading to Dallas, where they play Mexico on Wednesday (KO 15:30 CEST).

Five friendlies, four wins

Back in Europe, there was a friendly held in Klagenfurt between Austria and Slovenia, where Florian Grillitsch was in action. Hoffenheim’s midfielder came on from the bench in the 74th minute for Schalke’s Alessandro Schöpf to make his international debut and celebrate the team’s 3-0 win. “Grillo” and the rest of the Austria team next travel to play away against Luxembourg on Tuesday (KO 20:30 CEST).

Norway also played at home against Australia, where the Norwegians enjoyed a dominant 4-1 win. Håvard Nordtveit was on the bench for the game. Norway’s next opponents are Albania on Monday (KO 19:00 CEST). Steven Zuber and Switzerland also managed to win their friendly, against Greece. TSG’s number 17 started and played the first hour of the match. The team next play Panama on Tuesday (KO 19:00 CEST).

Ermin Bičakčić started and played the full 90 minutes in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s match against Bulgaria. Ermin and his team left the pitch as victors, winning 1-0.

Ádám Szalai was the only Hoffenheim player to suffer a loss. Hungary lost 3-2 to Kazakhstan in Budapest. Our striker reduced the deficit by one in the 21st minute after the guests had already scored two goals. However, it was not enough and the team have another chance to impress next Tuesday against Scotland (KO 20:00 CEST).

In contrast to all the friendlies going on, Hoffenheim youngster Meris Skenderović and the rest of the Montenegro U21 side contested a European qualifier against Luxembourg with an important three points up for grabs – and they did grab them indeed thanks partly to a goal from Skenderović. Montenegro went 2-1 up in the 71st minute and left the pitch as 3-1 winners after 90 minutes. Their next qualifier is a clash with France on Tuesday (KO 12:00 CEST).

Thursday

TSG TRIO ENJOY VICTORY

Nadiem Amiri and the Germany U21s are right on track to qualify for the European Championship, winning their fifth of six qualifiers. Stefan Kuntz’s side recorded a well-deserved 3-0 win over Israel and held onto top spot in their qualifying group. With 15 points, Germany now have a five-point lead on second-placed Ireland, who have a game in hand.

TSG’s Nadiem Amiri was in the starting XI and soon made his mark in assisting Eduard Löwen’s opener in the eleventh minute. On Tuesday, Amiri and Co. are off to Mitrovica to face Kosovo.

The Germany U20s also won their game on Thursday night with Hoffenheim duo Robin Hack and Felix Passlack in the starting XI. Robin Hack opened the scoring in the 77th minute and that proved to be enough for the victory away to Portugal.

DFB coach Frank Kramer’s U20s face their next challenge on Tuesday against their Polish counterparts – kick-off in Gütersloh is at 18:00 CEST.

It was a different story for Justin Hoogma and the Netherlands U21s, who lost their friendly against neighbours Belgium 4-1 - Hoogma played the full 90 minutes. The team’s real test is not until Tuesday, when captain Hoogma and his international colleagues have a European qualifier against Andorra.