Level-headed Sadik not sitting back

Finland Under-21 and DSC Arminia Bielefeld striker Berat Sadik insists he will "have to work even harder" if he is to continue his rapid rise to prominence.

German move
In a little under four months, the 22-year-old has made his senior international debut and moved mid-season to Bundesliga club Arminia from Finnish Veikkausliiga outfit FC Lahti. Sadik admits he has difficulty in comprehending his rise within the game in such a short space of time, yet instead of sitting back, the Skopje-born player says this just the start.

'Great year so far'
"If someone had told me a year ago that I would have won my first full caps and be playing in the Bundesliga, I would not have believed them," said Sadik. "It has been a great year so far and of course I have high ambitions both at Bielefeld and at international level. I have taken big steps this year, but that only means that I have to work even harder to take the next ones."

Friendly appearances
Sadik made his senior Finland bow against Turkey in Duisburg on 29 May and followed that up four days later with an appearance against Belarus in Turku. Despite a striker shortage afflicting head coach Stuart Baxter, Sadik was omitted from the squad which began their bid for 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification by drawing 3-3 against Germany, as the U21s had important UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers to negotiate.

'Important games'
"Of course my aim is to play regularly for the seniors but the U21s had important games in EURO qualification and it was agreed that I would continue playing for the U21 side," continued Sadik, who was an unused substitute when Finland drew 0-0 in Slovenia on 9 September to confirm top spot in Group 6.

Austrian test
That earned a two-legged play-off against Austria in October for a place at next summer's tournament in Sweden. The dates coincide with the senior side's next qualifying double header against Azerbaijan and Russia but the former KuPS Kuopio forward is ready and willing to postpone his first competitive appearance for Finland. "We have done well so far and it would be a little awkward not to go all the way with the team," added Sadik. "I am mentally preparing already for the Austria games and will think of the World Cup qualification only after those matches. I will give everything, like I am sure everyone else will, to help the U21s to the finals in Sweden next summer. That would be a great achievement not just for the team, but also Finnish football in general."