Summer holidays and the start of the EUROs

For the majority of the 05ers’ international players, duty with their respective national sides is now complete. Phillipp Mwene, Nikolas Veratschnig (Austria), new signing Konstantin Schopp (Austria U21), Jae-sung Lee (South Korea), Kaishu Sano (Japan) and Silvan Widmer (Switzerland) can look forward to well-deserved summer holidays, fuelled by the momentum gained during a successful international period for each. On the other hand, things are only just heating up for two of Mainz’s young stars as they and the Germany U21s begin their European Championship campaign on Thursday.

Overview of the 05ers’ international fixtures 

Although Niki Veratschnig was denied a senior international debut across Austria’s two latest matches against Romania (2-1 win) and San Marino (4-0 win), travelling and training with the senior side should have nevertheless provided him with valuable experiences. While Mwene started the first contest, the wing-back was forced to miss the second through injury.

Schopp twice made the starting line-up for the Austria U21s and played his part on each occasion as they recorded victories over Latvia (1-0) and Hungary (3-1).

For Lee, the international window was rounded out with not only yet another win but also goal number 15 in his 99th appearance for South Korea, who lived up to their status of favourites in a 4-0 win over Kuwait.

Sano and Japan produced an even more convincing display, netting half a dozen against Indonesia. The 05ers’ midfield engine, who like Lee had already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, featured for the full 90 minutes.

FSV club captain Widmer travelled with the Switzerland squad to the USA, where they forst saw off Mexico 4-2, with the wide player on the field for 86 minutes as he made his 50th international appearance. For his nation’s second friendly fixture, a 4-0 win over their Americans hosts, Widmer watched on as a substitute.

Paul Nebel and Nelson Weiper will look to bring the heat once again from Thursday evening when their group stage campaign at the European U21 Championship in Slovakia begins. Their first opponents await in the form of Slovenia (kick-off 21:00 CEST). The young 05ers hope to bolster the German attack alongside former Mainz star Brajan Gruda, as they aim to clinch continental glory.

Further group games
15.06. CZECHIA U21 vs. GERMANY U21 in Dunajska Streda (U21 EUROS) 
18.06. ENGLAND U21 vs. GERMANY U21 in Nitra (U21 EUROS)