Team

Balde starts, wins and shines on international duty

The second half of the international break saw Fabio Balde deliver a stellar showing on Monday, while four further HSV players are in action on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Last week, Fabio Balde celebrated his international debut during the Germany U20 national team’s friendly against Poland, coming on as a substitute in the 70th minute of the 3-1 win. “I was obviously really pleased to make my Germany debut, but I want to experience a lot more moments like that, so I need to continue to work hard and keep at it,” said the winger after his first match, which he has since built on.

That progression came in the form of not just another appearance on Monday, and not just an inclusion in the starting line-up, but also goal contribution to boot. Balde left a lasting impression on national team head coach Hannes Wolf (pictured) after providing an assist in his side’s 5-0 win over Ghana. These sorts of displays would come as little surprise to his HSV teammates, with whom the Hamburg-born youngster has established himself this season after three goals to his name already.

With that performance, the international period came to an end for Balde, but four HSV players are set for action once more. Three of them take to the field on Tuesday. Adam Karabec will face Lithuania with Czechia in European U21Championship qualifying, Emir Sahiti and the Kosovo national team welcome Cyprus for their Nations League clash and Bilal Yalcinkaya visits Norway with the Germany U19 national team. Immanuel Pherai is also on international duty, with his final appearance before his return to Hamburg coming on Wednesday evening against the Republic of Guyana.