Mikelbrencis and Oliveira faced off against each other

Anssi Suhonen and Dennis Hadzikadunic headed into the current international break with great anticipation as both players looked to get through the play-off semi-finals and final with their national teams and qualify for EURO 2024. However, both Finland’s and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s hopes came to an end in the semi-finals, meaning that both nations will not be competing at the European Championships in Germany.

The Germany and France U20 national teams faced off against each other for the second time during this international break on Monday. Germany won the first meeting 3-1, with HSV youngster Nicolas Oliveira providing the assist for Germany’s third goal. The second game ended in a spectacular 4-4 draw, with both Oliveira and Frenchman William Mikelbrencis starting the game for their respective nations. Both youngsters played at right-back and it was Mikelbrencis who provided an assist on this occasion. His assist helped to put France 4-3 up, but Germany hit back through a last-minute Keke Topp equaliser to make it 4-4. Oliveira and Mikelbrencis were on opposing sides with their national teams, but they will now be back in action for HSV together. Both youngsters can return to Hamburg with a good dose of self-confidence. 

The international break isn’t done yet for Laszlo Benes, with the midfielder set to face off against Erling Haaland’s Norway with Slovakia on Tuesday evening. Subsequently, Benes will travel back to Hamburg and return to training. The run-in with HSV awaits the club’s top scorer before he heads off to take part in EURO 2024 with Slovakia, beginning with the away game at SpVgg Greuther Fürth – this is the next important test following the end of the international break.