International break, did you say? A large share of our boys were very busy indeed - in action for their respective national teams in recent days. Just before we return to league active, it's time to check in on how everyone got on.
On his return to the Austrian national team's goal, Alexander Schlager got a front-row spot as Ralf Rangnick's boys overcame Kazakhstan 4-0 in the UEFA Nations League. The keeper then watched the big 5-1 win over Norway from the bench.
- Mads Bidstrup received his first call-up from Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand, but did not appear in the Nations League clashes against Spain (0-1) and Switzerland (2-2).
- Janis Blaswich also didn't get any playing time, but was part of a happy Germany camp that secured its spot in the last eight of the Nations League thanks to wins against Bosnia-Herzegovina (2-1) and the Netherlands (1-0).
- Oscar Gloukh played for the complete 180 minutes and assisted as Israel levelled their tie against France at 1-1. The World Cup runners-up turned out to be too powerful for his side, however, taking a 4-1 win.
- Kamil Piatkowski was on the sidelines for Poland's 1-3 defeat to Portugal but was an early substitute as they battled back to draw 3-3 with Croatia.
- In their final match under legendary coach Werner Gregoritsch, Austria U21 missed out on qualifying for the 2025 European championships after drawing 1-1 at home to Slovenia - but they ended the international break in style, with a 2-1 win over heavyweights France. Samson Baidoo played the full 90 minutes of both matches.
- Hendry Blank and Leandro Morgalla were part of the Germany U21 squad. The latter had a part to play in European qualification being secured against Bulgaria (2-1) thanks to a brief appearance, while Hendry made his debut by coming on at the start of the second half in a 3-3 draw in Poland.
- There was disappointment for the Swiss U21 side. Our neighbouring land were held 1-1 at home by their Finnish equivalents and were beaten 1-3 by Romania – with Bryan Okoh playing for 45 minutes, as they just missed out on the upcoming European championships.
- Our French talent Joane Gadou started the first of a trio of U19 friendly matches against Denmark (1-1). He didn't begin the following encounters with Belgium (3-2) and England (2-4).
- Goalkeeper Salko Hamzic and his Austria U19 team-mates won 2-1 against Slovenia in a friendly.
- Oliver Lukic took a substitute role for Croatia U19 to begin with (vs. Mexico) but was given a start against Ireland (for 63 minutes). In their final friendly encounter against Greece, the creative talent was unused. All three matches were drawn.
- John Mellberg's Sweden U19 side were also put through a series of friendly tests. Our midfielder started the pair of encounters against Japan (1-0 and 1-4) but was rested for the clash against the USA (1-4).
- Bobby Clark didn't appear despite his call-up for the under-20 The Three Lions. Dorgeles Nene didn't play for Mali due to injury - and returned early.
