DFB national coach Joachim Lowe is planning the international return of Matt Hummels and Thomas Müller in the EM Test against Denmark in Innsbruck. Hummels and Müller, who were brought back to the German national team after more than two years, should stabilize the team. The Danes, who beat Austria 4-0 in World Cup qualification in Vienna at the end of March, are a real benchmark on Wednesday (9 p.m.) at Tivoli Stadium.
The next preparatory stage for the final tournament in Low’s longstanding era is to be ignited at his old place of work. The ex-FC Tirol coach would like to see “progress” in all areas: “The team must strengthen and gather competition practice.” Now it is “important that you crystallize a certain core”.
Training camp in Seefeld till June 6
Spectators are not allowed. An application by the DFB for the entry of a limited number of fans was rejected by local authorities in the context of the current coronavirus regulation. Germany has been preparing for the European Championships in Seefeld since last Friday and the former world champion’s quarter-finals will be played in Tyrol until 6 June. All 16 field players who have trained together at Seefeld over the past few days must play against the Danes, who also qualify for the European Championship.
There is, however, a question mark behind Toni Kroos and Jamal Musiala, the latter following a coronavirus infection and who have only done an individual exercise program due to a muscle injury. Bayern player Leon Goretzka arrived after torn muscle fibers in his thigh, he is yet to qualify for the sport. Champions League winners Antonio Rudiger, Chelsea’s Kai Havertz and Timo Werner and final losers, Manchester City’s Ilke Gundogan, should be in Seifeld from Thursday.
The DFB team will take part in EM dress rehearsals after training camp against Latvia in Tyrol in Düsseldorf next Monday. In EM, in addition to France, European champions Portugal and Hungary are German rivals in Group F. Denmark, who will contest their EM dress rehearsal against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Sunday, will face Belgium, Finland and Russia in Pool B.
Goalkeeper Sileson EM . out for
For the Netherlands, a stress test against Austria’s second group rival in the European Championships, European Championship starter Scotland, is on the schedule for Wednesday (8.45 pm CEST) as part of training camp in Portugal. National goalkeeper Jasper Sileson, who tested positive for the coronavirus and therefore missed the final, will not be there. “I find it very bitter for Jasper,” said Bondscotch Frank de Boer.
There was no alternative to the decision. “We don’t know how long it will take with him. He would have missed the first game anyway, so couldn’t take part in the full preparation. But we’re playing a European Championship, and I want players who are 100 percent fit.” De Boer said Marco Bizot (30/AZ Alkmaar), who was already one of the four keepers of the provisional squad, so Oranje moved to the team’s definitive EM squad.
For “Elftal”, the international match against Scotland will be a real test, as the Scots are swimming in a wave of excitement as they manage to qualify for the European Championship after a penalty thriller against Serbia in the play-off final. In the World Cup qualifying group with Austria, the team is second behind Denmark and two places ahead of the OFB team. For the first time in 22 years, Scotland is going to go to a major tournament. Group opponents have it all, however, with Pool D against vice world champions Croatia, the Czech Republic and England.