Hoogma: "Heerenveen will be a really good test"

Having played Queens Park Rangers twice last weekend, TSG Hoffenheim's series of international friendlies continues on Saturday (17:00 CET) when they take on Dutch top-flight club SC Heerenveen in Bruchsal. Justin Hoogma is very much looking forward to coming up against a team from his homeland. "They're a technically strong team with lots of young players," said the 20-year-old Enschede native, adding: "I know a few of them from the Netherlands youth teams, it'll be a good test."

Heerenveen, a tradition-steeped club known for their blue and white striped shirts with red hearts, finished last season in eighth place. Jan Olde Riekerink took over as head coach last summer, having previously worked with Ajax at youth level, as a co-coach at Porto and as the head coach of Galatasaray. The 55-year-old is now aiming to turn his young team, where ex-Hoffenheim man Mark Uth once played, into a free-flowing attacking unit. Justin knows what TSG can expect. "They can really play, even though they have few big names or international stars in their ranks. There's now a greater overseas influence in the Eredivisie, though the majority of teams still play in the classic Dutch 4-3-3 system," said Hoogma, continuing: "I'm really looking forward to playing against a team and some familiar faces from my homeland and naturally I expect that we will show ourselves to be the better team."

Tickets for the match at the 1. FC Bruchsal stadium will be sold at the box offices on the day itself. Additionally, tickets will be on sale in the branches of Sparkasse Kraichgau in Sinsheim, Bretten, Langenbrücken and Bruchsal. The family-friendly prices for fans between the ages of six and 15 are €7, while older spectators will pay €10.

Further friendlies against Verona and Eibar

Julian Nagelsmann's side will follow up their clash with Heerenveen with some more pre-season friendlies against overseas teams. They will face Serie A side Chievo at the stadium of Austrian club FC Wels on Saturday 4 August (17:00 CET), before taking on Spanish top-flight team SD Eibar at the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena as part of their season opening ceremony a week later, on Saturday 11 August (15:30 CET).