FIRST TEAM
08/30/2013

Twelve Hoffenheim players on international duty

The Bundesliga takes a break this week – it's time for internationals. For several TSG players it means packing their bags and hopping on a plane to join up with their respective nations. There are World Cup qualifiers on the agenda, as well as European U21 Championship qualifiers. A total of 12 Hoffenheim players have been called up for their national sides.

The 2014 World Cup in Brazil is the aim for any senior international. The next round of qualifying games are this Friday (September 6th) and the following Tuesday (September 10th). Sejad Salihovic joins up with Bosnia and Herzegovina for their two meetings with Slovakia. They first meet in Zenica, before Salihovic heads for the away game four days later in Zilina. Bosnia and Herzegovina currently lead Group G after six matches with 16 points. Greece follow in second (13), with Slovakia in third (9).

Things are also looking good for the USA and Fabian Johnson at the moment. Jürgen Klinsmann's side are top of their group with 13 points from six games. Their next match is against second-placed Costa Rica, who currently have 11 points. Their second qualifier in this break is against third-placed Mexico (8 points) in Columbus, Ohio.

Polanski's Poland have to up the ante

TSG goalkeeper Koen Casteels has been called up to the Belgium squad, who play Scotland in Glasgow on Friday. Marc Wilmots' side are leading the way in Group A with 19 points, with Croatia a close second on 16 points.

Things look less promising for Tarik Elyounoussi (Norway) and Eugen Polanski (Poland). Norway are fourth in Group E with eight points, behind Switzerland (14), Albania (10) and Iceland (9). Their next two matches are against Cyprus and Switzerland, both of which will be played in Oslo. Poland are also fourth in Group H with nine points. Montenegro (14), England (12), and Ukraine (11) can still be caught though. Group leaders Montenegro will visit Warsaw on Friday, with Poland travelling to San Marino the following Tuesday.

Seven TSG players involved in youth matches

Jannik Vestergaard (Denmark) and Kevin Volland (Germany) will play for their respective nations in qualifying games for the 2015 European U21 Championship in the Czech Republic. Denmark host Andorra in Aalborg on Friday, before a trip to Slovenia on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Germany's U21s travel to the Faroe Islands and the Republic of Ireland (Monday, September 9th).

There are also some Hoffenheim players in U20s action. Patrick Schorr and Jeremy Toljan will feature for Germany against Poland and Switzerland on Friday and Tuesday, while Vincenzo Grifo plays the same opponents on the opposite days with Italy. Kevin Akpoguma and Niklas Süle will both feature for the Germany U19s as they face an away game against the Netherlands, before hosting Greece in Münster.

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