Bundesliga
Undav relishing Germany opportunity
Deniz Undav has spoken of his and his VfB Stuttgart teammates' jubilation - and some joking around - in their club's dressing room when they learned they had been called up by Germany for this month's UEFA EURO 2024 warm-up friendlies.
Undav has been in stunning form for Stuttgart, scoring 14 times and tallying six assists in his 22 Bundesliga appearances this term. That has earned him a first call-up as Julian Nagelsmann fine-tunes his plans ahead of this summer's European Championship on home soil with tough tests in France on Saturday, and then at home to the Netherlands on Tuesday.
Undav's performances have helped push Sebastian Hoeneß's men into contention for a top-four finish, but the on-loan Brighton and Hove Albion forward has not done it alone.
Stuttgart defenders Maximillian Mittelstädt and Waldermar Anton have also been selected for the first time due to their displays, while teammate Chris Führich could earn only his second senior cap after making his Germany debut in Nagelsmann's first game as national team coach.
Watch: The best of Germany's new Stuttgart contingent
"Everyone was so happy for each other in the dressing room," said Undav. "We made a few jokes, such as saying that we wouldn't be speaking to any players who aren't internationals."
Undav is not an international yet either, though there was more likelihood he would play on the global stage given his options. Though born in Germany, his family hail from Türkiye, and he could have represented the country at international level.
However, Undav - as he has previously said in a bundesliga.com interview - only ever had eyes for the white shirt of Germany.
"It was already long clear to me that I really wanted to play for Germany, because I grew up here. I'm really happy here, and I don't have too much connection with Türkiye," explained Undav, who had arrived at his first Germany squad camp wearing a hoodie bearing the words, 'I'm just a kid with a dream.
Watch: Undav: "Germany call-up a dream come true"
"I was only waiting for the German national team coach to call, and so I was even happier when he actually called."
Though he has scored three more goals than Niclas Füllkrug this season, it is the Borussia Dortmund man who will likely start both games in a central striking role.
The ex-Werder Bremen forward, who has found the net three times in his last four international appearances and a very healthy 10 times in his 13 caps to date, is also in pole position to be Germany's first-choice forward at the EURO. Undav would be delighted to play understudy, though.
Watch: Undav - shooting for Euro 2024
"I don't have any declaration of war," he said as he sat alongside Füllkrug in Thursday's press conference.
"I try to help the team, be positive, and create a good atmosphere. And if I play, I'll be all in. In a EURO, you don't need 11, but rather 23 players who know their role and accept it."