SV Werder Bremen will take on 1. FSV Mainz 05 at the wohninvest WESERSTADION on September 2nd 2023 in their third Bundesliga fixture of the season, after which the first international break will take place. Ilia Gruev has been called up for the Bulgarian national team, who will take on Iran in a friendly match on 7th September 2023 at 18:00 CEST, before playing Montenegro three days later in a qualifier for EURO 2024 (18:00 CEST).
Ilia Gruev called up for international duty
Ilia Gruev endeavours to secure EURO 2024 qualification with Bulgaria
Ilia Gruev was also part of the Bulgaria youth teams (Phto: W.DE).
Bulgaria will face Hungary, Serbia, Lithuania, and Montenegro in Group G of the qualifying round. Ilia Gruev’s team have lost and drawn two matches so far, and are sitting in fourth place with two points on the board. The Bulgarians now have the opportunity to turn the tide in their favour, starting with a win against Montenegro.
Werder’s other international players such as Niclas Füllkrug, Jiri Pavlenka and Romano Schmid are still awaiting a call up from their respective federations. The DFB will take on Japan in a friendly on Saturday 9th September 2023 at 20:45 CEST, and are set to play France three days later. Germany are guaranteed qualification due to being the host country of the tournament.
