Stark called up to Germany squad

Joachim Löw has called up the defender for the first time in his career, whilst several other squad members have been named to represent their respective countries in the final international break of the season. Hertha BSC will also be represented at youth level.

Whilst Bundesliga action was halted three times to make way for international fixtures in the first half of the campaign, only one international break remains in the season. This month national teams will battle to earn qualification to EURO2020, which takes place next year in twelve different countries around the continent. Munich’s Allianz Arena will play host to matches in Germany.

First call-up for Stark

It is the aim of every footballer to represent their country on the biggest stages and Niklas Stark has the opportunity to achieve it. On Friday, national team head coach Joachim Löw named the 23-year-old in the German squad for the first time. “Every footballer dreams of being able to play for their country. It was very special to become European champions at U21 and U19 level but to be nominated for the first team squad is a fantastic accolade and a big step for me. It gives me the motivation to give it everything I have week-in, week-out,” said Stark. Michael Preetz was equally as proud. “The call-up is a recognition of Niklas’ development and consistent strong performances with us. Additionally, it is a great honour for the club,” said the sporting director.

“Niklas has proven himself over a significant period of time in the Bundesliga. He has been in really good form recently and has also won titles with two of the youth sides,” explained Löw on his reasoning behind the decision. Stark will be in contention for two fixtures: a friendly against Serbia in Wolfsburg (20/03/19) as well as a EURO2020 qualifier against the Netherlands in Amsterdam (24/03/19). The remaining teams in Germany’s group are Northern Ireland, Estonia and Belarus.

Difficult fixtures for Jarstein and Co.

Rune Jarstein faces some tough challenges with Norway, as his country will face Spain in Valencia (23/03/19) before hosting Sweden in Oslo (26/03/19). The game will be a meaningful one for Norway head coach Lars Lagerbäck, who is Swedish and coached his country for nine years between 2000 and 2009. Jarstein’s Norwary are in Group F along with Romania, Faroe Islands and Malta. Meanwhile, Hertha’s Ondrej Duda and Peter Pekarik will represent Slovakia as they host Hungary (21/03/19) before travelling to Cardiff to face Wales (24/03/19). Slovakia’s other Group E opponents are Croatia and Azerbaijan.

Valentino Lazaro will face Poland (21/03/19) with the Austrian national team before travelling to Israel three days later as they look to make a strong start in Group G ahead of facing Slovenia, North Macedonia and Latvia later on in the qualification campaign. Czech Republic, with Hertha’s Vladimir Darida, will kick off Group A when they face England in London (22/02/19) four days before a returning to the Czech capital for a friendly against Brazil. Bulgaria, Montenegro and Kosovo make up the rest of the group. Jonathan Klinsmann has been named in the USA U23 squad as they take on Egypt (22/03/19) and the Netherlands (24/03/19) Klinsmann will face-off against teammate Javairô Dilrosun, who will also represent the Dutch U21 side against Egypt on 26/03/19.

Hertha represented in youth sides

Maximilian Mittelstädt, Arne Maier and Jordan Torunarigha have all earned call ups to the German U21 national team for the game in Essen against France (21/03/19), as well as the away trip to England five days later. “We are hoping that a lot of fans can come and support us,” said U21 coach Stefan Kuntz, who won the U21 European Championship with a German side which included Davie Selke, Niklas Stark and former Hertha man Mitchell Weiser. Florian Baak and Palko Dárdai have been named in the German U20 squad for fixtures against Portugal in Sandhausen (22/03/19) and an away clash against Poland (26/03/19). “These games are good test against strong opposition. Portugal won the U19 European Championship in July 2018 and Poland are a physically robust side,” said U20 interim coach Thomas Nörenberg. Dennis Smarsch has been named on a replacement list should any of the original squad become unavailable.

Dennis Jastrzembski will look to help his country qualify for this year’s U19 European Championship after being called up to the German squad. Jastrzembski and his team-mates will travel to Sinj to take on Croatia (23/03/19) before facing Hungary in Dugopolje (26/03/19). “We travel to Croatia with the objective of qualifying for the U19 Championship as group leaders and want to be recognised as one of the top eight teams in our age bracket,” said Guido Streichsbier, who named Luis Klatte and Jessic Ngankam among his list of replacements.