Team
04.10.16
Seven Rothosen answer the call
Seven men were missing at training resumed at the start of the week.
Things are a little different in and around the Volksparkstadion at the moment. Firstly the stadium has been given a “facelift” by the DFB (German football authorities) ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifier between Germany and the Czech Republic on Saturday (08.10.16, 8.45 PM). Another change is the absence of seven players who are on international duty at HSV training this week.
Long journeys, important games
Once again USA striker Bobby Wood and Japanese international Gotoku Sakai have the longest journeys ahead of them. The former answered the call by national team coach Jürgen Klinnsmann and flew to Miami on Sunday to join the squad. USA take on near neighbours Cuba away from home on Friday in a World Cup qualifier (October 7), before playing New Zealand in a friendly the following Tuesday (October 11). Sakai is playing for points and Japan face Iraq on Thursday (October 6), before making the long journey to play Australia away from home on Tuesday (October 11).
European-born internationals like Emir Spahic (Bosnia & Herzegovina), Michael Gregoritsch (Austria), Filip Kostic (Serbia) and Albin Ekdal (Sweden) have less travel miles to endure. Spahic and Ekdal are in action on October 7 + 10 as they lock horns with Belgium and Cyprus and then Luxembourg and Bulgaria respectively. Filip Kostic and Michael Gregoritsch face each other on October 9 in Belgrade, before further qualifiers against Moldova and Wales. Finally, Croatian youngster Alen Halilovic is also on his travels. The 20 year old talent has been called up to the Croatian under-20 squad for their game against Sweden.