Sulejmani's star continues to rise

After scoring four times in qualifying to help Serbia reach the 2007 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, Miralem Sulejmani arrived in Austria as one of the tournament's potential stars and has already gone a long way to justifying that reputation as he aims to help his side into the semi-finals.

Opening goal
The SC Heerenveen forward scored Serbia's opening goal of the tournament as they raced into a two-goal lead before losing 5-2 to France on Matchday 1 and was then instrumental in their 6-2 demolition of Russia on Wednesday, a result that puts qualification in their own hands if they can defeat Germany. "It's always nice when you score the first goal for your country in a tournament like this," the 18-year-old told uefa.com. "But after the France match, because of the way the result went, I was sad and the whole team were sad. Team spirit always comes first. But now we are high on confidence after the second match. To play well after the first defeat was very tough but we managed to do that and we want to continue at the same level."

Last-four aim
"The tournament has had lots of quality up until now but it would be very nice if we could qualify for the semi-finals; this is something I really hope we can do," Sulejmani said ahead of their meeting with a Germany side that have collected four points from their opening two games. "Germany will be a tough game because the winner will go to the semi-finals and I want that team to be us. If we play at the same level as we did against Russia then we will win."

Going Dutch
Sulejmani has already earned himself a move from FK Partizan to the Eredivisie with Heerenveen in January and sees these finals as a chance to impress. "It's very important to play in a tournament like this at the beginning of my professional career," he said. "A lot of clubs and managers are watching me so it's important that I play well. The standard is very good and it will be another step in my professional career along the way to Spain, Italy or another western country. Here the football is a lot faster and disciplined; no one gives the ball away, you always have to run and put your opponent under pressure." With further exposure here in Austria, Sulejmani will surely get his chance to shine next season.