Though the 2023/24 Bundesliga season is over, and preparations for the upcoming season already begun, many Union players are enjoying a well-deserved summer break. For many others, however, there is little time to stop and rest, with the honour of representing their nations in major tournaments or qualifying matches. The following Union professionals will be on the road in the coming days and weeks.
The nominees
Tied on points with Slovenia, but ultimately top of the table, Denmark came out on top in qualifying Group H, booking a direct ticket to the European Championship in Germany. For Frederik Rönnow, it will be the third major tournament for his home country after the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 European Championship. The goal of the 1992 European champions should be clear. After reaching the semi-finals three years ago, they certainly want to compete for the medals again this year. Before things get serious in June, however, two friendlies against neighbours Sweden and Norway are on the schedule.
Denmark vs. Sweden
Wednesday | 05.06.2024 | Copenhagen
Denmark vs. Norway
Saturday | 08.06.2024 | Copenhagen
Slovenia vs. Denmark
Sunday | 16.06.2024 | Stuttgart
Denmark vs. England
Thursday | 20.06.2024 | Frankfurt
Denmark vs. Serbia
Tuesday | 25.06.2024 | Munich
A European Championship is nothing new for Union midfielder András Schäfer either. The 25-year-old will take part in the continental games for the second time since 2021 with Hungary, who will be represented for the fifth time in total, and will face Scotland and Switzerland as well as hosts Germany. Union’s number 13 certainly has particularly fond memories of the Germans, having scored in the 2-2 draw against Joachim Löw’s side at the last European Championship – also in the group stage. Like most of the other participants, the Hungarians will also be testing twice before the start of the tournament to ensure they get the best possible match practice.
- Ireland vs. Hungary
Tuesday | 04.06.2024 | Dublin - Hungary vs. Israel
Saturday | 08.06.2024 | Debrecen - Hungary vs. Switzerland
Saturday | 15.06.2024 | Cologne - Germany vs. Hungary
Wednesday | 19.06.2024 | Stuttgart - Scotland vs. Hungary
Sunday | 23.06.2024 | Stuttgart
Union right-back Josip Juranović has been called up to the European Championship squad for the Croatian national team. In Group B, they will face Italy, Spain and Albania. Juranović was already part of the team at the last European Championship in 2021 and experienced a dramatic round of 16 in which Croatia lost 5-3 to Spain after extra time. Before that, coach Zlatko Dalić’s side will play tests against North Macedonia and Portugal.
- Croatia vs. North Macedonia
Monday | 03.06.24 | Rijeka - Portugal vs. Croatia
Saturday | 08.06.24 | Lisbon - Spain vs. Croatia
Saturday | 15.06.24 | Berlin - Croatia vs. Albania
Wednesday | 19.06.24 | Hamburg - Croatia vs. Italy
Monday | 24.06.24 | Leipzig
Tymoteusz Puchacz was also delighted to be nominated for the national team of European Championship participants Poland. The defender, currently on loan to 1. FC Kaiserslautern where he narrowly missed out on winning the DFB Pokal, will face the Netherlands, Austria and France in Group D. At Euro 2021, the tournament ended for him and his teammates after the group stage. The Polish national team will also play two more friendlies before the start of the tournament.
- Poland vs. Ukraine
Friday | 07.06.24 | Warsaw - Poland vs. Turkey
Monday | 10.06.24 | Warsaw - Poland vs. Netherlands
Sunday | 16.06.24 | Hamburg - Poland vs. Austria
Friday | 21.06.24 | Berlin - France vs. Poland
Tuesday | 25.06.24 | Dortmund
Alex Král can also still hope to be nominated, as he is on the extended list of Ivan Hasek, the Czech Republic’s selection coach. Should he make it into the final squad, the 39-times international would also have more games to play.
All participating nations must have submitted their final squads for the final tournament to UEFA by Wednesday, June 7, 2024.
While the aforementioned are busy in Europe, Brenden Aaronson is preparing for the Copa America with the US national team. In the counterpart to the European Championship on the North and South American continent, the US will face Bolivia, Panama and Uruguay in the group stage. Before that, the midfielder and his team-mates have two friendly against Colombia and Brazil on the agenda.
- USA vs. Colombia
Saturday | 08.06.24 | Landover - USA vs. Brazil
Thursday | 13.06.24 | Orlando - USA vs. Bolivia
Monday | 24.06.24 | Arlington - Panama vs. USA
Friday | 28.06.24 | Atlanta - USA vs. Uruguay
Tuesday | 02.07.24 | Kansas City
Aïssa Laïdounï has been called up to the Tunisian national team and will take part in two games at the beginning of June as part of the African World Cup qualifiers. The Tunisians are currently unbeaten at the top of their group and will now face second-placed Equatorial Guinea, who are also unbeaten, and third-placed Namibia.
- Tunisia vs. Equatorial Guinea
Wednesday | 05.06.24 | Radès - Namibia vs. Tunisia
Sunday | 09.06.24 | Johannesburg