March-April 2007:
Spring brought Marco's best form yet.
March: 5 goals in 6 matches
April: 4 goals in 5 matches
His fame was spreading more and more. Media was tracking his every movement on and off the pitch.
Marco had no idea of how to handle this increasing reknown yet. But he doesn't have to figure out everything alone. Academy coaches have seen many such players over the year.
They have also seen what fame could do to a player. For some, it is a motivation that fuels their ambition. But some felt it as increasing pressure on their shoulders. There are also those people, who take as sign to know that they are good enough and can slack some training from now on.
So after the detailed discussion with coaches he learned more about this—more than from those gossips spreading on social media in his previous life.
Marco stayed grounded. Coach's advice echoed constantly: Don't believe the hype. Keep working.
In April, the first-team coach invited him to train with the senior squad for one week.
Marco reported to the first-team facility, nervous but excited. Last time—December 2005—he'd been completely overwhelmed. Now, seventeen months later, would it be different?
The first training session was intense but manageable. Marco held his own in small-sided games. His passing was crisp, movement intelligent. His anticipation and timing is enough to keep up with these stars, without getting overwhelmed. The coaches and those veteran players also noticed this.
Before he went back to the reserve team, coaches spoke of their evaluation of him. They were satisfied with his growth and also think that after some more development in the reserves, he will be ready for the Bundesliga.
"I'll keep working, Coach."
"Good. We're watching you."
* * * *
In early May, Marco received the call he'd been expecting: Germany U19 squad for the UEFA European Championship in Austria.
The tournament was the biggest stage for European youth football. Scouts from every major club would attend. Media coverage was extensive. This was the stage where reputations were made.
Germany's squad was talented: future Bundesliga players, prospects from Bayern, Schalke, Stuttgart. But Marco was confident.
He'd dominated U19 football a year ago. Now, with a season of reserve football under his belt, he was even better.
*Tournament Structure:
Group Stage: Germany, Spain, Czech Republic, Greece
Top two teams advance to semi-finals
Winner crowned European champion
May 22, 2007 - Group Stage, Match 1: Germany vs. Greece:
The tournament opened in Wiener Neustadt, Austria. Germany's first match against Greece—a team known for defensive organization.
Marco started on the left wing, wearing #11.
The match was tight. Greece defended deep, compact. Germany dominated possession but struggled to break them down. This greece team followed the same tactics as their senior team which won the UEFA euro 2004 as dark horses.
That iconic team won the Euro despite the odds being 150-1. They achieved it by relying on tactical brilliance and strong defence.
67th minute, still 0-0. The game till now was mostly uneventful. Germans dominated the pitch but couldn't overcome other's strong defence.
At this moment, the referee's whistle sounded.
Germany won a free kick thirty yards from goal, just left of center.
Marco stood over the ball. His dipping shot technique was now 8.6/10—reliable but not yet elite. Still, he was the best free-kick taker in the squad.
Marco placed the ball with care, taking measures steps backwards. When the signal came, Marco pushed off the ground with practiced ease.
He struck the ball cleanly. It arced over the wall, dipping late. The goalkeeper dove, fingertips extended—
The ball clipped the underside of the crossbar and dropped into the net.
1-0.
Marco wheeled away, teammates mobbing him. The German bench erupted.
After the restart, Germany held on, focusing on their defence. 1-0 was the final score.
That was 3 points.
May 25, 2007 - Match 2: Germany vs. Spain:
Spain were favorites—technically brilliant, possession-dominant, future stars throughout their lineup.
But Germany had Marco.
23rd minute: Marco received the ball near the edge of the box. But the defenders were already upon him, he was no space to shoot...or so it seems.
But Marco's first touch was perfect, it put the first defender wrong footed, and put the ball away from the range of the second one. Without giving them time to consider, he shot, to the bottom right corner.
1-0.
But spaniards were a team of quality. They didn't get agitated from conceding first. Instead they calmly reorganized and equalized before halftime. 1-1.
68th minute: Marco threaded a through ball between two defenders—with pinpoint precision. Germany's striker ran onto it and slotted the ball into net.
2-1.
Final score: 2-1. Germany won.
Marco: 1 goal, 1 assist. Man of the match.
May 28, 2007 - Match 3: Germany vs. Czech Republic:
Germany had already qualified for the semi-finals. The coach rested Marco for sixty minutes, bringing him on to close out the match.
Final score: 3-0. Germany topped the group.
May 31, 2007 - Semi-Final: Germany vs. France:
It was Marco's eighteenth birthday. What better way to celebrate than a European semi-final?
France were strong—organized, athletic, dangerous on the counter. The match was tense, tactical, physical.
The score was 0-0 at halftime. Both teams were cautious.
54th minute: Marco received a pass at the edge of the box, back to goal, defender tight on him. He spun—and shot in one motion.
1-0.
Birthday goal. Marco pointed to the sky, then to the German fans.
France pushed forward desperately. Germany defended grimly.
89th minute: France won a corner. Everyone in the team came forward, including their goalkeeper. The corner came in, Germany cleared it, and Marco had the ball with eighty yards of empty pitch.
Using his pace to get ahead of every one, Marco calmly slotted the ball for his second goal of the night.
2-0.
Final whistle moments later, pushing Germany into the final.
Marco collapsed to his knees, exhausted and elated. Teammates pulled him up, celebrating.
But the celebration was brief, because they knew—it was not the time for celebrations.
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