Bastian Schweinsteiger
The symbol of the new Bayern
Ozren Podnar on Schweinsteiger
An indefatigable worker apt at creating space and distributing
the ball, Bastian Schweinsteiger has been having a brilliant career
in Bayern and Germany, his two long-range pile drivers in the third
place play-off game bringing his country a well deserved bronze
medal at the 2006 World Cup.
Significantly, he has been touted as the "new Stefan Effenberg",
after the former fiery conductor of Bayern's orchestra, what with
his style of play, looks and same Zodiac sign – both are Leos.
The term "meteoric rise" looks like it was tailor made
for Schweinsteiger. The strong provincial boy signed for Bayern
as a junior on July 1st 1998 before quickly rising through the ranks.
After winning the U-19 German title in 2002, he broke through to
Bayern's reserves and went on to record a number of fine displays
in Division 3.
After just two practice sessions for the first team, Ottmar Hitzfeld
gave him his debut in the Champions League in the autumn of 2002.
It took him just a couple of minutes since coming on as a substitute
against Lens to show his worth, making a goal for Markus Feulner.
In his first season as a professional, the boy collected 16 appearances
and Bundesliga and FA Cup winner's medals, all before his 19th birthday.
His first goal for Bayern came in September of 2003 against Wolfsburg,
and the first call-up for the national team was only six months
away. Just a year after dividing his playing time in the youth team
and the Bundesliga he was already picked by Rudi Völler for
the squad traveling to the European Championship in Portugal.
Schweinsteiger - A bright spot at Euro 2004
At Euro 2004 in Portugal he turned out to be one of the few German
players not to disappoint as the "Elf" went down in the
first round with two points out of nine, saving his team from greater
disgrace by providing the assist for Ballack's consolation goal
against Czechia (1-2).
Even though he picked up unanimous compliments for his showing
at Euro 2004, the new coach, hot-headed Felix Magath sensationally
sent him back to the amateurs at the start of the 2004/05 campaign,
but Bastian won his place back after just three weeks.
In spite of the competition of nine other midfielders, this dynamic
and muscular powerhouse of a player asserted himself, contributing
essentially to another Bayern's League and Cup double.
That season Schweinsteiger was elected the second most popular
Bayern's player, behind Roy Makaay, he and the Dutchman collecting
over 80% of the votes.
Jürgen Klinsmann, Völler's popular heir on the "Elf's"
bench, harboured no doubts regarding Bastian's international career,
so the change of regime did not affect his place in the national
team.
He scored his first goal for Germany – a pair in fact -
on June 8th 2005 against Russia, going on to shine at the Confederations
Cup held the same month in Germany, scoring a goal apiece against
Tunisia and Mexico.
Another, widely expected national double with Bayern followed,
with 30 league appearances in 34-game long championship race, but
his most glorious day to date came in the third place playoffs against
Portugal in Stuttgart.
By scoring with two wonderful cannonballs and by forcing Petit
to add an own goal in the emphatic 3-1 win, Schweinsteiger emerged
as a leader for the future German team which will try to go one
(or two, rather) better at the next World
Cup in 2010.
The display also led to questions why Schweini was not played
from the start of the semifinals against Italy, lost in extra-time
by 0-2. This just might have been the one big mistake Klinsmann
made in his two year tenure at the German helm.
Schweinsteiger Fact file
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Nickname: Schweini
Birthdate: August 1, 1984
Birthplace: Kolbermoor
Height and weight: 181 cm, 77 kg
Position: midfielder
Shirt number: 31
Marital status: girlfriend Daniela
Education: high school
Virtues: friendly, punctual, cunning
Hobbies: music, companionship, Playstation
Motto: Believe in yourself
Home page: www.bastian-schweinsteiger.de
Club career
1990-92 Oberaudorf
1992-98 Rosenheim
1998-02 Bayern (II)
2002/03 Bayern 14 - 0
2003/04 Bayern 26 - 4
2004/05 Bayern 26 - 3
2005/06 Bayern 30 – 3
2006/07 Bayern
Internationals:
2004-06 Germany 35 - 9
Honours:
3 Bundesligas: 2003, 2005 and 2006
3 German Cups: 2003, 2005 and 2006
1 League Cup: 2004
1 World Cup bronze medal: 2006
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