FIRST TEAM
11/21/2018

Grifo fulfils lifelong dream

14 TSG Hoffenheim players have been on duty with their countries over the last seven days. For the players, the international break was a very positive experience. "In the current period we've had the most players on duty in the Bundesliga − that's a great development," said a delighted Alexander Rosen, the Hoffenheim director of football. Vincenzo Grifo was one of the major success stories, the 25-year-old making his debut for the Italian national team in the number 10 shirt. Stefan Posch and Christoph Baumgartner made history too. achtzehn99.de brings you all the latest on how the TSG players fared.

It was an unforgettable moment when Vincenzo Grifo entered the fray at the start of the second half in the international friendly between the Italy and the USA. The 25-year-old Hoffenheim midfielder came on in place of Federico Chiesa to make his debut for the Italian national team − and did so wearing the legendary number 10 shirt.

For the Pforzheim native, who has dual German and Italian citizenship, it has always been "a lifelong dream to play for the Italian national team". Back in July Grifo, who had just made his return to the Kraichgau after signing from Mönchengladbach, said: "I've already played for Italy at U20 and U21 level and enjoyed the experience. That's why I think it's cool that we're playing Champions League football and that I can draw attention to myself." Now his performances for TSG Hoffenheim have earned him a first call-up for the Azzurri − followed by a long-awaited debut against the USA.

For Grifo it ended up being a dream debut for the senior national team, as team-mate Matteo Politano popped up with a last-gasp winner in the 94th minute to secure a 1-0 victory. Grifo is the latest in a long line of players to have made their international debuts since Julian Nagelsmann took over.

Alexander Rosen was delighted for the 25-year-old, saying: "Vince fulfilled a big dream by playing for the Squadra Azzurra, so we're naturally delighted for him. His call-up is yet another example of how our players are drawing attention to themselves on an international level too."

Celebrations for Posch and Baumgartner

Stefan Posch and Christoph Baumgartner also had cause for celebration. They were part of the Austria U21 side that beat their Greek counterparts 1-0 to qualify for the European Championships. It was an historic success, too, as it is the first time the Austrians have made a European Championship finals in that age category. Both TSG players were in the starting XI for the victory. Posch played the full 90 minutes, whereas Baumgartner was substituted on the 71-minute mark.

Another player in action on Tuesday was Reiss Nelson, who represented the England U21s against Denmark. The 18-year-old played the full 90 minutes as the Three Lions romped to a 5-1 victory and extended their unbeaten run to 22 matches.

Nordtveit earns promotion with Norway 

There had already been some notable successes for the TSG Hoffenheim players on Monday, with Havard Nordtveit chief among them. The defender helped the Norwegian national team to a 2-0 victory over Cyprus that earned them promotion to Nations League B. The 28-year-old played the full 90 minutes in Nicosia. Another player to taste victory with his country was Pavel Kaderabek, who was part of the Czech Republic side that beat neighbours Slovakia 1-0 to finish second in their group and avoid relegation to the tier below. Kaderabek also played the full 90 minutes.

Meanwhile, Nico Schulz earned his fourth cap for Germany in a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands. The 25-year-old left-back was included in the starting line-up for that match and reproduced his outstanding form at club level on the international stage.

However, David Otto and Alfons Amade were part of the Germany U20 side that was defeated 2-0 by world champions England. Amade played the full 90 minutes, while Otto did not feature.

Kramaric and Szalai score

A day earlier, on Sunday, the TSG strikers had enjoyed a prolific day in front of goal. Andrej Kramaric followed up his goal against Spain with another strike in the final Nations League group game against England, breaking the deadlock to put Croatia 1-0 ahead at Wembley in the 57th minute. In the end, though, the hosts fought back to win 2-1 and relegate Croatia to League B. Another TSG player to find the net again for his country was Adam Szalai, the 30-year-old scoring the opener in a 2-0 win over Finland.

Zuber triumphs with Switzerland

Steven Zuber and Switzerland enjoyed a remarkable triumph of their own on Sunday. The 27-year-old started the Nations League clash with Belgium and helped the Nati come from two goals down to beat the World Cup semi-finalists 5-2. The victory saw the Swiss finish as the surprise winners of their group and book their place in the Nations League finals, which will take place in Portugal next summer.

Elsewhere, there was a win for Kasim Adams. The TSG man starred at the heart of the Ghana defence as the Black Stars beat Ethiopia 2-0 away from home in an African Cup of Nations qualifier.

Nico Schulz - Germany

International friendly, Thursday 15 November, 20:45, Leipzig: Germany 3-0 Russia

Nations League, Monday 19 November, 20:45, Gelsenkirchen: Germany 2-2 Netherlands

Vincenzo Grifo - Italy

Nations League, Saturday 17 November, 20:45, Milan: Italy 0-0 Portugal

International friendly, Tuesday 20 November, 20:45, Genk: Italy 1-0 USA

Pavel Kaderabek - Czech Republic

International friendly, Thursday 15 November, 18:00, Danzig: Poland 0-1 Czech Republic

Nations League, Monday 19 November, 20:45, Prague: Czech Republic 1-0 Slovakia

Havard Nordtveit - Norway

Nations League, Friday 16 November, 20:45, Ljubljana: Slovenia 0-0 Norway

Nations League, Monday 19 November, 20:45, Nicosia: Cyprus 0-2 Norway

Ermin Bicakcic - Bosnia 

Nations League, Thursday 15 November, 20:45, Vienna: Austria 0-0 Bosnia

International friendly, Sunday 18 November, 20:45, Las Palmas. Spain 1-0 Bosnia

Adam Szalai - Hungary

Nations League, Thursday 15 November, 20:45, Budapest: Hungary 2-0 Estonia

Nations League, Sunday 18 November, 20:45, Budapest: Hungary 2-0 Finland

Andrej Kramaric - Croatia 

Nations League, Thursday 15 November, 20:45, Zagreb: Croatia vs. Spain, 3-2

Nations League, Sunday 18 November, 15:00, London: England 2-1 Croatia

Steven Zuber - Switzerland

International friendly, Wednesday 14 November, 19:00, Lugano: Switzerland – Qatar, 0-1

Nations League, Sunday, 18 November, 20:45, Luzern: Switzerland 5-2 Belgium

Kasim Adams - Ghana

Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, Sunday 18 November, 14:00, Addis Ababa: Ethiopia 0-2 Ghana

Reiss Nelson - England U21s

International friendly, Thursday 15 November, 12:00, Ferrarra: Italy U21s 1-2 England U21s

International friendly, Tuesday 20 November, 18:30, Esbjerg: Denmark U21s 1-5 England U21s

Stefan Posch - Austria U21s

Euro qualifier, Friday 16 November, 18:00, Thessaloniki: Greece U21s 0-1 Austria U21s

Euro qualifier, Tuesday 20 November, 19:00, St. Pölten: Austria U21s 1-0 Greece U21s

Christoph Baumgartner - Austria U21s

Euro qualifier, Friday 16 November, 18:00, Thessaloniki: Greece U21s 0-1 Austria U21s

Euro qualifier, Tuesday 20 November, 19:00, St. Pölten: Austria U21s 1-0 Greece U21s

David Otto - Germany U20s

International friendly, Thursday 15 November, 15:00, Sassuolo: Italy U20s 3-3 Germany U20s

International friendly, Monday 19 November, 20:00, Colchester: England U20s 2-0 Germany U20s

Alfons Amade - Germany U20s

International friendly, Thursday 15 November, 15:00, Sassuolo: Italy U20s 3-3 Germany U20s

International friendly, Monday 19 November, 20:00, Colchester: England U20s 2-0 Germany U20s 

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