Jarstein and Norway challenge Spain

Berlin – Late luck for the Vikings: Rune Jarstein and Norway fought to secure a 1-1 draw against Spain in European qualifying action. Bournemouth’s Joshua King scored a late stoppage time equaliser from the spot in Oslo (90’ +4) to cancel out Atletico’s Saul Niguez’ opening goal (47’). Jarstein played the full 90 minutes as Norway remain in fourth place in Group F, with ten points. Spain top the table with 19 points, ahead of Sweden (14) and Romania (13). Norway will now head to face Romania in a must-win game on Tuesday (15.10.19 at 20:45 CEST), if they want to keep their dreams of taking part in next summer’s European Championship alive.

Vladimir Darida and the Czech Republic also managed to surprise the favourites from England with a 2-1 win on Friday night (11.10.19). The loss was England’s first loss in a qualification match in more than ten years (43 matches). Tottenham’s Harry Kane gave England the lead in Prague from the spot early on (5’), but the Czechs responded quickly via Jakub Brabec (9’). In the moments that followed, it was the Czechs who looked livelier against a passive England side, who could have sealed their ticket to the European Championship with a win. The Czechs had previously fallen 5-0 at the hands of England in March, but this time it was Zdenek Ondrasek from FC Dallas who scored the late winner for his side (85’). “It was a great match from us, we fought hard right until the end and kept putting England under pressure,” said captain Darida. A quick glance at the standings proves just how important those three points were for the Herthaner and his teammates. With 12 points from six matches, the Czechs are now in second place and level on points with England, but with a game in hand. Kosovo, who have taken eight points from five matches, currently sit in third and still have a chance of qualifying. Next up for the Czech Republic is a friendly against Northern Ireland on Monday (14.10.19 at 20:45 CEST).

Stark out injured

Another Herthaner should have been in action on Sunday evening (13.10.19). Germany are fighting for top spot in Group C and are currently level on points and goal difference with the Netherlands. In order to move into first place, head coach Joachim Löw’s side need a win against Estonia (kick-off set for 20:45 CEST). Third place Northern Ireland also have 12 points but have a game in hand. “Estonia are more defensive and place an emphasis on defending their goal,” said Joachim Löw. However, Niklas Stark will not be able to help out his international teammates. The Hertha defender missed out on making his Germany debut during the 2-2 draw against Argentina on Wednesday due to illness, and had to withdraw from the squad ahead of this weekend’s match. Stark suffered a wound in the team hotel on Friday morning which required stitches and has since travelled back to Berlin.

While the fight for a spot at the EUROs is still ongoing for several teams, Belgium and Dedryck Boyata can rest easy after securing their place in next summer’s competition with a 9-0 win against San Marino on Thursday. Now, the Hertha defender is hoping to pick up his 17th cap for the undefeated ‘Red Devils’ as they face Kazakhstan (13.10.19 at 20:45 CEST). Slovakia’s Peter Pekarik and Ondrej Duda, who drew 1-1 in their qualifier against Wales on Thursday, will face Paraguay in a friendly on Sunday (20:45 CEST). Along with Darida and Jarstein, Mathew Leckie and Australia will also play one more match this upcoming week. After a clear 5-0 win over Nepal, the ‘Socceroos’ will face Taiwan in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday (15.10.19 at 13:40 CEST). Meanwhile, Javairo Dilrosun has withdrawn from the upcoming matches for the Netherlands U21s and is back in Berlin.

U19s on track

Daishawn Redan and the Netherlands U19s have won their second qualification match for the U19 European Championship. The Dutch youngsters defeated Latvia 8-2 on Friday. The Hertha attacker, who scored a brace during a 5-0 against Moldova during the week, opened the scoring early on (6’, 10’) and added two more later on. Lazar Samardzic made his debut for Germany’s U19s in a 3-0 win against Andorra and picked up a goal and an assist. Germany’s U19s will face Belarus on Saturday afternoon before facing Scotland on Tuesday (15.10.19 at 20:05 CEST).