Grifo receives first Italy call-up

It is a proud moment for Vincenzo Grifo, who has received his first-ever call-up to the Italy squad. The 25-year-old midfielder has been included in the Squadra Azzurra for the upcoming internationals against Portugal (Nations League) and the USA (friendly). For the Pforzheim native, who has dual German and Italian nationality, it has always been "a lifelong dream to play for the Italian national team". Only this July Grifo, who returned to the Kraichgau this summer following a spell in Mönchengladbach, said: "I've already played for the Italy U20s and U21s and enjoyed it. That's why I think it's cool that we're playing in the Champions League and that I can draw attention to myself." Those performances for TSG Hoffenheim have now earned him recognition from the national team set-up.

In contrast to Grifo's maiden international call-up, Nico Schulz's inclusion in the latest Germany squad was almost expected. The 25-year-old is part of the DFB contingent for the upcoming matches against Russia (15 November) and the Netherlands (19 November).

Including Grifo and Schulz, a total of 15 TSG players have received international call-ups. It would have been 16, but injury has forced Florian Grillitsch to withdraw from the Austria squad. 

achtzehn99.de has all the latest info about the call-ups, international fixtures and kick-off times below.

Nico Schulz - Germany

International friendly, Thursday 15 November, 20:45, Leipzig: Germany vs. Russia

Nations League, Monday 19 November, 20:45, Gelsenkirchen: Germany vs. Netherlands

Vincenzo Grifo - Italy

Nations League, Saturday 17 November, 20:45, Milan: Italy vs. Portugal

International friendly, Tuesday 20 November, 20:45, Genk: Italy vs. USA

Pavel Kaderabek - Czech Republic

International friendly, Thursday 15 November, 18:00, Danzig: Poland vs. Czech Republic

Nations League, Monday 19 November, 20:45, Prague: Czech Republic vs. Slovakia

Ishak Belfodil - Algeria

Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, Friday 16 November, Lome: Togo vs. Algeria

Havard Nordtveit - Norway

Nations League, Friday 16 November, 20:45, Ljubljana: Slovenia vs. Norway

Nations League, Monday 19 November, 20:45, Nicosia: Cyprus vs. Norway

Ermin Bicakcic - Bosnia 

Nations League, Thursday 15 November, 20:45, Vienna: Austria vs. Bosnia

International friendly, Sunday 18 November, 20:45, Las Palmas. Spain vs. Bosnia

Adam Szalai - Hungary

Nations League, Thursday 15 November, 20:45, Budapest: Hungary vs. Estonia

Nations League, Sunday 18 November, 20:45, Budapest: Hungary vs. Finland

Andrej Kramaric - Croatia 

Nations League, Thursday 15 November, 20:45, Zagreb: Croatia vs. Spain

Nations League, Sunday 18 November, 15:00, London: England vs. Croatia

Kasim Adams - Ghana

Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, Sunday 18 November, 14:00, Addis Ababa: Ethiopia vs. Ghana

Reiss Nelson - England U21s

International friendly, Thursday 15 November, 12:00, Ferrarra: Italy U21s vs. England U21s

International friendly, Tuesday 20 November, 18:30, Esbjerg: Denmark U21s vs. England U21s

Stefan Posch - Austria U21s

Euro qualifier, Friday 16 November, 18:00, Thessaloniki: Greece U21s vs. Austria U21s

Euro qualifier, Tuesday 20 November, 19:00, St. Pölten: Austria U21s vs. Greece U21s

Christoph Baumgartner - Austria U21s

Euro qualifier, Friday 16 November, 18:00, Thessaloniki: Greece U21s vs. Austria U21s

Euro qualifier, Tuesday 20 November, 19:00, St. Pölten: Austria U21s vs. Greece U21s

David Otto - Germany U20s

International friendly, Thursday 15 November, 15:00, Sassuolo: Italy U20s vs. Germany U20s

International friendly, Monday 19 November, 20:00, Colchester: England U20s vs. Germany U20s

Alfons Amade - Germany U20s

International friendly, Thursday 15 November, 15:00, Sassuolo: Italy U20s vs. Germany U20s

International friendly, Monday 19 November, 20:00, Colchester: England U20s vs. Germany U20s

Robin Hack - Germany U20s

International friendly, Thursday 15 November, 15:00, Sassuolo: Italy U20s vs. Germany U20s

International friendly, Monday 19 November, 20:00, Colchester: England U20s vs. Germany U20s