Hofmann loses with Germany, Ranos scores twice for Armenia
While Jonas Hofmann and Germany lost in their friendly match, Nicol Elvedi (Switzerland), Grant-Leon Ranos (Armenia), Luca Netz (Germany U21s) and Manu Koné (France U21s) all won with their national teams on Friday evening.
Germany
The Germany national team lost their penultimate international game before the summer break. Hansi Flick’s side were beaten 1-0 (1-0) by Poland in Warsaw and were once again unsuccessful after the 3-3 draw against Ukraine on Monday. Jakub Kiwior (31’) scored the only goal of the game at the Narodowy stadium. Jonas Hofmann (Photo: imago images / Perenyi) made his 21st international appearance. The 30-year-old started at right midfield but was substituted at the break. On Tuesday (20:45 CEST), Germany will host Colombia in Gelsenkirchen for the next friendly ahead of the home 2024 European Championship.
Switzerland
A third win in three: The Switzerland national team still haven’t dropped a point in their European Championship qualifiers. In their third game, they beat Andorra 2-1. Nico Elvedi made his 46th appearance for his home country and played for 90 minutes in central defence. Remo Freuler (7’) and Zeki Amdouni (32’) scored for the favourites, who had to hold onto the lead after Marcio Vieira reduced the deficit (67’). Switzerland lead Group I with nine points. On Monday evening, they will face Romania in another qualifying match at 20:45 CEST in Lucerne. The national team, in exchange with Borussia and the keeper himself, didn’t call up Jonas Omlin.
Armenia
Borussia’s new signing Grant-Leon Ranos celebrated a successful competitive debut for the Armenia senior national team. In their European Championship qualifier against Wales, the 19-year-old attacker was in the starting eleven and scored twice in a surprising 4-2 victory. Daniel James (10’) put the home side in front early on. Lucas Zelarrayan (19’) immediately equalised for Armenia, and then came Ranos’ time, who first put his team in front in the 30th minute, before increasing it to 3-1 in the 66th minute. Harry Wilson (72’) reduced the deficit for Wales, before Zelarrayan (75’) secured the win for the visitors. Ranos, who had already scored a brace in his debut match against Cyprus (2-2), was substituted off in the 88th minute. Armenia are now fourth in the Group D table with three points. On Monday evening (18: CEST), they will face last-place Latvia in their third group match.
Germany U21s
The Germany U21 national team won their international game in Imst (Austria) against Switzerland 3-1 after four lots of 40 minutes. The match, which was played behind closed doors, was the last friendly for both teams before the U21 European Championship in Romania and Georgia (21st June to 8th July). Luca Netz played for the first 60 minutes at right-back. Dan Ndoye scored in the fifth minute to give Switzerland the lead, before Kevin Schade equalised shortly before the end of the first quarter. After a goalless second quarter, Jessic Ngankam (88’) made it 2-1 to Germany, and in the 104th minute Nelson Weiper increased the lead to 3-1. At the European Championship, Netz and Germany will face Israel next Thursday, the Czech Republic on Sunday 25th June and England on Wednesday 28th June (all matches at 18:00 CEST).
France U21s
The France U21 national team had a successful dress rehearsal before the upcoming European Championship. They beat Mexico 1-0 in a friendly match in Grenoble, with Manu Koné playing for 71 minutes in central midfield. Maxence Caqueret scored the only goal of the match in the 34th minute. At the European Championship, the France side will play Italy next Thursday, Norway on Sunday 25th June and Switzerland on Wednesday 28th June, with all three matches starting at 20:45 CEST.
Denmark U21s
The Denmark U21s began their qualification for the 2025 U21 European Championship in Slovakia successfully. They beat Lithuania 2-1 in their opening game. Oscar Fraulo, however, didn’t play, with Borussia’s midfielder spending the game on t he bench. Maurits Kjærgaard (9‘) and Mads Hansen (11‘) scored twice for an early 2-0 lead, and Lithuania could only make it 2-1 through Armandas Kucys (19’). Denmark will face Wales in their second group match on Tuesday at 18:00 CEST in Vejle. Other opponents in the group of five teams are the Czech Republic and Iceland, with only the group winner directly qualifying for the European Championship.
