Three wins and a debut: Successful U21 performances by the Rothosen

Three wins, one debut and one narrow defeat: Hamburger SV's U21 internationals had a largely successful qualifying matchday for the 2023 European Under-21 Championship last Tuesday evening (12 October). Anssi Suhonen and Juho Kilo were particularly happy as they helped the Finnish junior team to a surprising 3:1 victory over the favourites Austria. The former was on the pitch for 90 minutes, while U21 player Kilo made his debut in injury time. The Finns are now on seven points after four games and have high hopes in Group A, which is headed by the Croatian national team. The team around HSV newcomer Mario Vuskovic bagged the fourth win in the fourth match in Azerbaijan (5:1) last night and now has the best chances of winning the group. However, the 19-year-old centre-back did not play in Sumgayit. Vuskovic did grab himself a goal in the first game of the international break over Norway. 

His Rothosen team-mate Ludovit Reis made the starting XI for his national side though. The Dutch U21 international played a central midfield role in a resounding 5-0 win over Wales and celebrated his second win in the third match. The 'Jong Oranje' are currently in second place in Group E with seven points, a position occupied in Group I by Denmark. The team of HSV forward Mikkel Kaufmann was defeated 0:1 in Belgium yesterday and has six points after three games. Kaufmann watched the action in Leuven from the bench for 90 minutes, but the 20-year-old centre-forward will nevertheless return to Volkspark - just like his national team colleagues from HSV - with plenty of new experiences in his locker. 

Tommy Doyle also played the full 90 minutes fpr the Young Lions of England on Monday 11th October in his sides 1-0 victory away in Andorra.