In a proud moment for Portsmouth FC and their passionate fan base, goalkeeper Nicholas Schmid has been handed his first international call-up to represent Austria in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Since his transfer from BW Linz in August 2024, Schmid has solidified his position as a key player for Pompey, featuring in 35 Championship games and maintaining an impressive tally of eight clean sheets.
Austria's squad is gearing up for what promises to be a challenging set of fixtures, facing Romania on the 7th of June followed by a game against San Marino a week later. Schmid’s inclusion is a testament to his formidable presence between the posts and his contribution to Portsmouth's campaign in the Championship.
Adding to Portsmouth's international representation, right-back Terry Devlin has been called up by Northern Ireland for a series of friendly matches. The Northern Ireland side, looking to build cohesion and form, will face Denmark and Iceland in what are expected to be tightly contested encounters.
These call-ups are not just personal milestones for Schmid and Devlin but also a reflection of Portsmouth’s successful nurturing of talent and competitive prowess. The Fratton Park faithful have always rallied behind their heroes, and seeing players step up on the international stage brings immense pride to the community.
It's moments like these that remind us of Portsmouth's glorious past, from the days of lifting the FA Cup to producing players of calibre who shine on international soils. As the current squad pushes for a triumphant return to the top, every Pompey fan is buzzing with the belief that this team can recapture those glory days.
And for a bit of fun before I go—how many Southampton fans does it take to understand a football offside rule? Apparently more than their team has league titles!
