Germany beat Switzerland and Ghana in their March friendlies and it’s now less than two months until their World Cup squad will be announced. Who will be in the final 26-man selection? The core group of players is clear, but who made the most of the last international break before World Cup preparation begins and who did not?

Winners

• Kai Havertz — With nearly 60 caps, Havertz is a key part of this team. Having been out with injury for a long time, his starting place was no longer secure but a return to fitness and form is timely. His combination play in Switzerland was impressive, and his roar after confidently dispatching a penalty against Ghana was the sign of a player beginning to hit his stride again. If there were any doubts about his role in the starting eleven, Havertz dispelled them swiftly in these two games.
• Florian Wirtz — Another player who is guaranteed a ticket to the United States this summer but who still excelled. His two goals and two assists in Basel speak for themselves. It was an exceptional display and in Stuttgart he helped set the tone, often brave with his choices on the ball. It felt significant that the 22-year-old delivered this display in the absence of Jamal Musiala, the player who he combined so well with at Euro 2024. It’s clear that even on his own, Wirtz can be the man for Germany when they need a spark.
• Lennart Karl — The 18-year-old looked steady off the bench in Basel, but in Stuttgart he exploded into life. Bayern Munich’s newest jewel gave German coach Julian Nagelsmann a lot of good reasons to have him in the squad this summer. The agile playmaker worked hard to win the ball back and ran at the Ghana defense at every opportunity. His desire to take on players is exciting to watch and an all-too rare a sight for Germany these days. He should have capped his performance off with a goal, but he sent the ball wide. Nevertheless, Karl looks destined to be on the plane now.

Nathaniel Brown — Perhaps it is too generous to say a player who only played 60 minutes against a largely defensive Ghana side was a winner during this international break, but such is the concern around the left-back spot for Germany that it might just be enough. The Frankfurt defender looked more than competent when called upon. A spot in the squad looks almost certain for the 22-year-old now, and given David Raum has not exactly made the spot his own, there is a possibility that even more gametime awaits Brown.

Losers

• Angelo Stiller — He might be Stuttgart’s midfield conductor and darts prodigy Luke Littler’s favorite German player, but Stiller did not make the most of an unexpected chance. Called up after injuries to others, Stiller started both games but looked a little uncertain with the ball at times. He was also slow to close down Switzerland for their opener in Basel, a point that did not go unnoticed by Julian Nagelsmann. Pascal Gross’s decent showing in Stuttgart means it looks like this World Cup might come too soon for Stiller.
• Nico Schlotterbeck — Despite starting both games and clearly being one half of the favored central defensive pairing with Jonathan Tah, the Dortmund defender struggled. He was sloppy in Switzerland, twice making mistakes in the build-up play that proved costly. In Stuttgart he was a bit more stable, but still looked a little out of sorts at times. He will travel and will likely start, but this might have given Nagelsmann food for thought over the recent decision to make Antonio Rüdiger a back-up.
• Nick Woltemade  The plan was for the Newcastle striker to gain some confidence this break after enduring a tricky spell in England. Nagelsmann even spoke about how it made more sense to play a striker needing a boost rather than one in form (Deniz Undav). Sadly, the 24-year-old wasn’t able to make the most of it. In Switzerland, he did little with his 20 minutes off the bench other than head his one chance wide. In Stuttgart, he played almost 80 minutes but still couldn’t get on the scoresheet, missing a glorious chance in the first half and then hitting the bar in the second. He will almost certainly be in squad come May, but until then he needs to rediscover his form.

Edited by: Matt Pearson

/ @lockedoncollegefootball  

Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke was arrested on Wednesday in Arkansas on charges that include speeding and possession of a controlled substance. 

“I’m aware of the report, but don’t have any comments,” Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo told reporters before the Grizzlies’ game against the New York Knicks on Wednesday night, per ESPN.

Clarke was booked into Cross County Jail on charges of improper passing, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing and exceeding the speed limit, and trafficking a controlled substance.

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Brandon Clarke of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball during the game against the LA Clippers at FedExForum on Dec. 23, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)

Clarke, a seventh-year player out of Gonzaga, was ruled out for the remainder of the 2025-26 NBA season after playing just two games. 

JALEN BRUNSON’S SISTER BLASTS ESPN AFTER STEPHEN A SMITH KNICKS RANT: ‘UTTERLY RIDICULOUS’

He initially was out due to surgery needed on his right knee, but he also suffered a right calf strain that has forced him to miss most games this season. 

The Grizzles announced late last month that Clarke was still rehabbing his injury, but recent tests showed that he needed more time to heal. He is expected to return next season. 

Brandon Clarke of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against Zaccharie Risacher #10 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at FedExForum on March 3, 2025, in Memphis, Tennessee. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)

Clarke was the 21st overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder, but he was traded to the Grizzlies, where he’s been ever since. 

He made the 2019-20 All-Rookie team after averaging 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game, playing in a bench role for Memphis that year. 

Clarke has primarily been a depth player for the Grizzlies throughout his career, earning 50 starts out of his 309 games played. 

Brandon Clarke of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts during the game against the Golden State Warriors at FedExForum on Dec. 19, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)

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Throughout his seven seasons, Clarke has tallied 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.  

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Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has suggested Gunners manager Mikel Arteta took the right call by playing Kepa Arrizabalaga in last month’s 2-0 EFL Cup final defeat.

On March 22, Arteta’s side failed to maintain their quadruple charge after slumping to a EFL Cup final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in London. Nico O’Reilly, who was playing as a left-back, scored a great brace in the second half to help the Cityzens win a trophy.

Kepa, who left Chelsea to join the Gunners for £5 million last summer, endured an underwhelming night in the EFL Cup final. The 31-year-old goalkeeper allowed the ball to slip between his gloves for City’s opener in the 60th minute, causing fans to rue David Raya’s absence.

However, during a recent interaction with Clutch 9 Football, Lehmann asserted that Arteta was right in trusting his second-choice goalkeeper in the cup final. He stated (h/t Arsenal Insider):

“It’s not only harmony, but it’s also just (about respecting) the quality of the second goalkeeper, even the third goalkeeper sometimes… Because he got you to the final. So, you have to give him confidence and let him play, and I do not think I see such a big difference between the two of them (Kepa and Raya).”

Lehmann, who recorded 80 clean sheets in 200 appearances across competitions for the north London outfit, concluded:

“Like, I did not see a lot of differences between when I was playing and the number two at the time. So it’s only small margins, and I think it’s on a personal basis. As I said, they haven’t lost because of that. I think they’ve lost because they got a little bit too much pressure in the second half.”

Kepa, who will turn 32 this October, registered zero saves and completed 24 of his 32 passes in the EFL Cup final against Manchester City.

How have Kepa Arrizabalaga and David Raya performed for Arsenal this season?

Since departing Chelsea, Kepa Arrizabalaga has made 10 overall appearances for Arsenal. He has yet to play in the Premier League this campaign, but has kept four clean sheets in nine domestic cup starts so far.

On the other hand, David Raya is enjoying a sensational 2025-26 campaign for the north London outfit. The 30-year-old has registered an impressive 21 clean sheets in 40 total appearances, shipping just 25 goals.

Kepa is likely to start in Arsenal’s FA Cup quarter-final match against Southampton at the EFL Championship side’s stadium this Saturday.