Bastian Schweinsteiger thread

[Trim]

Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger insists he wants to taste more success with Germany at Euro 2008 next summer after he helped the Germans finish third at last year's World Cup.

Schweinsteiger, 23, scored twice in his side's 3-1 third-place play-off win over Portugal at last year's World Cup and the Bayern Munich midfielder wants to taste more success at the European Championships.

Germany are in pole position to qualify for Euro 2008 and lead their group by five points, but Schweinsteiger says Germany are set to peak at the event in Austria and Switzerland.

"Euro 2008 is hugely important for me," he told German tabloid Bild.

"I want to play a central role there and for my own development, the European Championships come along at just the right time.

"At the World Cup, I learned so much from the experience and it really fired up a hunger in all the young players in the squad, we are all focused on it."

Schweinsteiger was sporting black nail polish during Saturday's Bundesliga clash against Hanover after losing a bet with his girlfriend he would score a goal in the first two games.

But after Bayern splashed out 69 million euros on a summer spending spree, Schweinsteiger is far from dark to be playing with World Cup stars Franck Ribery and Luca Toni at Bayern.

He said: "I never thought 'Oh God, with so many players arriving, I will be on the bench'.

"In fact it was the opposite, I am an optimist. I know, what I can do. In addition, I felt I had something to prove and it inspired me.

"This is a fun team to play in and winning the Bundesliga title is a realistic expectation."

Schweinsteiger wants Euro 2008 success- Hindustan Times

[Vargas_4]

Originally Posted by Trim17

Schweinsteiger was sporting black nail polish during Saturday's Bundesliga clash against Hanover after losing a bet with his girlfriend he would score a goal in the first two games

[Poldi]

COLOGNE, Germany (AFP) — As the most experienced German midfielder on Cardiff's Millennium Stadium pitch this Saturday, baby-faced Bastian Schweinsteiger will lead Germany's attack in their Euro 2008 qualifier against Wales.

With midfielders Michael Ballack and Torsten Frings out injured, plus veteran Bernd Schneider serving a one-match ban, 23-year-old Schweinsteiger has been handed a key-role by head coach Joachim Loew.

Germany lead Group D by five points and are odds-on favourites to reach the finals of next summer's European Championships, but Loew will switch "Schweini" from his usual role on the left to a more central position.

"Of course, this is all new for me, because I normally play on the left, but it's going to be a challenge and I am looking forward to it," said Schweinsteiger, who has dyed his hair silver, in Wednesday's press conference.

And as one of Germany's brightest stars, Loew had no reservations about promoting the Bayern Munich man.

"He will play an important central role, in light of the players we have lost," said Loew.

"He will lead our attack, play a guiding role and control things."

With 43 caps and 13 goals for Germany, only striker Miroslav Klose (68 caps), defender Arne Friedrich (50) and Jens Lehmann (47) will have more international game time.

"He is one of the most experienced players in our team and I have spoken to him about what I expect," said Loew.

The German coach is wary of the Welsh, who poached a 1-0 win over Germany in Cardiff the last time the teams met in 2002 when Derby County striker Robert Earnshaw scored on his debut.

The Germans are expected to play a 4-4-2 combination and Loew expects a far tougher time against Wales than his side had in their 2-1 win over England at Wembley last month.

"One can assume Wales will be harder to beat than England," said Loew.

"They are a team of fighters and are used to struggling against the odds, we are looking forward to a good, hard game."

Meanwhile, Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann will start in goal for Germany having recovered from an achilles tendon injury and sore elbow.
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[Oliver_Kahn]

Considering how well Germany did in the qualifications, I reckon they are one of the top favourites

[jec1]

Love that name....Schweinsteigerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr