Podolski poised to impress

By Mark Bennett & Tim Dykes in Mainz

Germany's hopes of reaching the last four of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship are resting on the young shoulders of 1. FC Köln forward Lukas Podolski.

Völler poised
The Polish-born striker missed Germany's opening Group B game against Switzerland with a groin strain but returned in a much-changed lineup to face Sweden on Sunday, clipping the crossbar with an audacious chip in a frustrating 2-1 defeat. Now, with Rudi Völler still holding back two spots in his 23-man senior squad for UEFA EURO 2004™, which the Germany coach will fill tonight, it is time for 'Prinz Poldi' to make his mark.

Prolific goalscorer
Germany's U21 side need only a draw from their final group game against Portugal to book a semi-final date with Italy in Bochum on Saturday and their left-footed prodigy feels the task is well within their reach. "We have got a good side and can definitely qualify for the semis," said Podolski, the striker who lit up Köln's relegation season by scoring seven goals in the last eight Bundesliga matches.

Hero unearthed
Six months ago hardly anybody in Germany had heard of Podolski, who was playing his football for Köln's Under-19 side. But after taking over the reins from Friedhelm Funkel, new first-team coach Marcel Koller soon spotted Podolski's talent and surprised everyone by naming him in the senior side to take on Hamburger SV the following weekend. Three weeks later he found the net in a 1-1 draw against FC Hansa Rostock and a new hero had been unearthed.

Overath impressed
Blessed with terrific peripheral vision and pace, Podolski is also lethal in front of goal - and Koller is understandably among his biggest fans. "He is unbelievably good for an 18-year-old and his coolness in front of goal is sensational," said the Köln coach. "He is an exceptional talent with unbelievable ability," added West Germany's 1974 FIFA World Cup winner Wolfgang Overath. "It is a pleasure to watch the boy play."

Staying put
With his driving test still two weeks away, booked in the middle of EURO 2004™, Podolski was recently mobbed by happy Köln supporters as he travelled to a home match on the train. But despite the attention, the forward is able to keep both feet on the ground. To the dismay of several major Bundesliga clubs, Podolski recently signed a contract to keep him in Cologne until 2007. "I like playing for Köln," he explained. "I've been here for years now and I want to help the club win promotion again."

'Huge potential'
Völler himself said: "Podolski is a huge talent with huge potential," but could be waiting to see how the striker, who turns 19 on Friday, adapts to international football before handing him a ticket to Portugal. This evening's game in Mainz, set to be broadcast live on German television directly before the senior team's friendly against Switzerland, represents a perfect opportunity to impress.