Perchtold Names Austria U21 Squad for Crucial Euro Qualification Matches

VIENNA – Austria U21 head coach Peter Perchtold announced a 26-man squad on Tuesday for upcoming UEFA Euro U21 Championship qualifying matches. The team faces a challenging pair of fixtures, traveling to Belgium on March 27th and hosting Belarus in Ried im Innkreis on April 3rd. These matches are pivotal as Austria aims to secure a spot in the 2027 tournament.

The squad features a blend of experience and emerging talent, with four players returning to the fold and three new faces earning their first call-ups. Perchtold emphasized the competitive spirit within the team, stating, “In the squad there is a good mix of experienced players and boys who have recommended themselves with strong performances in their clubs. The competition within the team is high despite some absences – and that’s exactly what we seek to see. Everyone should take the opportunity to show themselves on this stage and recommend themselves for further tasks.”

Returning Faces Bolster Squad Depth

Dijon Kameri, currently with KS Cracovia in Poland, makes a welcome return to the U21 setup. Likewise back in contention are Nikolaus Wurmbrand and Jakob Schöller, both from SK Rapid Wien, and David Heindl of FC Bayern Munich. These players bring valuable experience and depth to Perchtold’s options.

New Blood Injected into the Team

The squad also welcomes three promising newcomers. Vasilije Markovic, a standout performer for FK Austria Wien and a recent U17 Vice World Champion, earns his first U21 call-up. Fabian Rossdorfer of SV Ried and Souleyman Mandey, who plays for West Bromwich Albion in England, complete the trio of debutantes. Markovic’s inclusion is particularly noteworthy, given his recent success at the youth level and his growing influence in the Austrian Bundesliga.

Squad Breakdown: Goalkeepers, Defenders, Midfielders, and Forwards

Perchtold has assembled a well-rounded squad across all positions. Here’s a detailed look at the roster:

• Goalkeepers: Matteo Bignetti (SK Puntigamer Sturm Graz), Lukas Jungwirth (LASK), Juri Kirchmayr (FAC Wien)
• Defenders: Samson Baidoo (RC Lens/FRA), David Heindl (FC Bayern München/GER), David Puczka (Juventus FC/ITA), Jakob Schöller (SK Rapid), Jannik Schuster (FC Red Bull Salzburg), Tim Trummer (FC Red Bull Salzburg), Dominic Vincze (TSV Egger Glas Hartberg)
• Midfielders: Oluwaseun Adewumi (Cercle Brügge/BEL), Nicolas Bajlicz (SV Oberbank Ried), Jacob Peter Hödl (SK Puntigamer Sturm Graz), Dijon Kameri (KS Cracovia/POL), Ermin Mahmic (FC Slovan Liberec/CZE), Souleyman Mandey (West Bromwich Albion/ENG), Vasilije Markovic (FK Austria Wien), Jonas Mayer (SV Oberbank Ried), Christopher Olivier (VfB Stuttgart/GER), Fabian Rossdorfer (SV Oberbank Ried), Nikolas Sattlberger (KRC Genk/BEL), Moritz Wels (WSG Tirol)
• Forwards: Furkan Dursun (FC Thun/SUI), Erik Kojzek (RZ Pellets WAC), Luka Reischl (ADO Den Haag/NED), Nikolaus Wurmbrand (SK Rapid)

Preparing for Belgium and Belarus

The Austrian U21 team will convene at the ÖFB Campus on Monday to begin preparations for the upcoming matches. Perchtold and his staff will have four days to fine-tune tactics and ensure the players are fully prepared for the challenges ahead. The match against Belgium, scheduled for 8:00 PM local time (6:00 PM UTC) on March 27th in Leuven, will be a stern test. Four days later, the team will return to Austria to face Belarus in Ried.

The team is aiming to build on recent positive momentum. Perchtold believes the blend of experienced players and emerging talents will provide a strong foundation for success. The upcoming matches represent a crucial step in Austria’s quest to qualify for the 2027 UEFA U21 Championship.

For fans eager to follow the team’s progress, the ÖFB website (https://www.oefb.at/oefb/Teams/Maenner/U21-Nationalteam) will provide regular updates, match reports, and behind-the-scenes coverage.

The next confirmed checkpoint for the Austria U21 team is the match against Belarus on April 3rd in Ried. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of their Euro qualification campaign.

What are your thoughts on Perchtold’s squad selection? Share your predictions for the upcoming matches in the comments below!