Royal Blues in international action over the summer

Matthew Hoppe’s performances in 2021 have earned him his first call-up to the USMNT. National coach Gregg Berhalter named him in his squad to face Switzerland in a friendly on Sunday, 30th May.

Rönnow and Schöpf named in EURO 2020 squads

Two players who will not be at FC Schalke 04 next season have been named in a squad for EURO 2020. Frederik Rönnow, who will return to Frankfurt after his loan spell, has been selected in Denmark’s squad, while Alessandro Schöpf (contract expiry) will join up with Austria for the tournament.

Both nations will play friendlies before the European Championship. Denmark will take on Germany (Wednesday, 2/6) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sunday, 6/6). Schöpf’s Austria will test themselves against England (Wednesday, 2/6) and Slovakia (Sunday, 6/6).

Denmark are in Group B along with Finland, Belgium and Russia, whilst Austria’s opponents are North Macedonia, the Netherlands and Ukraine.

Kabak, Matondo and Schubert in EURO squads

Ozan Kabak is also EURO-bound. The defender, who was loaned out to Liverpool earlier this season, has been named in Turkey’s squad. Rabbi Matondo, who spent the second half of the season on loan at Stoke City, is also in the provisional Wales squad.

Markus Schubert, who spent last season at Eintracht Frankfurt, is back with Germany U21s for the European Championship knockouts. On 31st May, the DFB youngsters face Denmark in the quarterfinal, having got through the group stage back in March. The two semi-finals are set to take place on 3rd June, with the final following three days later (6th June).

Idrizi called up for Kosovo

Schalke U23s player Blendi Idrizi, who made some first-team appearances towards the end of the season and scored his maiden Bundesliga goal against Eintracht Frankfurt, has been named in Kosovo’s senior national team. They will play two friendlies, on Tuesday, 1st June against San Marino and on Friday, 4th June against Malta.