Three Town players to compete in major tournaments this summer
- Steve Mounié’s Benin involved in the summer’s African Cup of Nations
- Isaac Mbenza and Philip Billing could feature in the U21 European Championships
- Terence Kongolo trained with the Netherlands ahead of the Nations League
A number of Jan Siewert’s First Team players have been called-up for international duty this summer!
Three of those could be involved in major tournaments with the African Cup of Nations, the Nations League and the Under-21 European Championships taking place.
Steve Mounié has been called-up for Benin for this summer’s African Cup of Nations. This is only the fourth time the Nation has qualified for the competition since 1962!
The AFCON will take place between 21 June and 19 July in Egypt and Benin has been drawn in a group with Ghana, Cameroon and Guinea-Bissau.
The Squirrels’ tournament will kick-off against four-time winners Ghana on Wednesday 25 June 2019 at 9pm (UK time), before they face Guinea-Bissau four days later also kicking off at 9pm (UK time). The final group game is against current holders Cameroon on Tuesday 2 July 2019; 5pm UK time kick-off.
Steve, who scored the vital goal that helped Benin qualify, has 13 caps and three goals for his nation.
The other two competing in major competitions are Philip Billing and Isaac Mbenza in the Under-21 European Championships.
Terence Kongolo joined up with his Netherlands teammates for a short training camp as preparations began for the UEFA Nations League.
Following the conclusion of the training camp, National Coach Ronald Koeman named his 23-man squad, however, Terence wasn't included.
Terence currently has four caps for his Nation.
Philip Billing has been named in the Denmark provision squad for the competition where they will face Germany, Austria and Serbia.
Phil has eight caps and one goal for the Young Danes. Their best finish in the competition was in 2015 when they finished third.
Isaac Mbenza has been called-up to Belgium’s provision squad for the U21 Euros. The Young Belgians, who avoided defeat in the qualification process, will face Italy, Poland and Spain.
Town’s winger has has 12 caps and two goals for Belgium’s youngsters. In 2007, the youngsters finished fourth. Despite that, this is only the third time they’ve qualified for the competition!
To find out more about the U21 European Championships please CLICK HERE!
Despite not being involved in a major competition, this summer’s call-up is a big one for Florent Hadergjonaj, who will join the Kosovo National Team for the first time.
The right-back switched his allegiance from Switzerland to Kosovo and will now join-up with his new Nation ahead of the UEFA European Championship qualifiers.
Kosovo will face Montenegro on Friday 7 June (7.45pm UK time KO) before travelling to Bulgaria for the game on Monday 10 June 2019 (7.45pm UK time KO).
Bernard Challandes’ side currently sits third in Group A with one point from one game after drawing with Bulgaria in March.
Jon Gorenc Stanković has, once again, been called-up to the Slovenia Senior Squad.
This is the 23-year-old’s second call-up to Matjaž Kek’s squad and could make his Senior Team debut this month!
Slovenia’s UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers continue this month as the Nation takes on Austria (Friday 7 June 2019, 7.45pm UK time) and Latvia (Monday 10 June 2019, 7.45pm UK time).
Slovenia currently sits fourth in Group G with two points from two games.
Jon has earned 18 caps for the Nation’s Under-21 side.
Mathias Zanka has also been called-up by Denmark for this summer’s UEFA European Championship qualifiers.
The defender has 22 caps and two goals for the Danes and could face the Republic of Ireland (Friday 7 June 2019; 7.45pm UK time KO) and Georgia (10 June 2019; 7.45pm UK time KO).
The Danes currently sit third in Group D with one point from one game after drawing with Switzerland in March.
Young Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Ryan Schofield received a call-up to England’s Under-20 side for the Toulon tournament.
Ryan, who helped the Young Lions win the competition in 2017, was on the bench for England’s tournament opener as the Nation lost 2-1 to Japan.
The Young Lions will face Portugal next on Tuesday 4 June 2019 (7pm UK time KO) before finishing the group stages with a match against Chile on Friday 7 June 2019 (8.30pm KO).
The 19-year-old currently has five caps for the England Under-20s.
Finally, young goalkeeper Giosue Bellagambi has been called-up to Italy’s Under-19s for the first time.
The 17-year-old will join up with the Young Italians as they prepare for this summer’s Under-19 European Championship.
To find out more please CLICK HERE!
For updates during the international break follow @htafcdotcom on Twitter!
