German tyros ready

Young defenders Philipp Lahm and Arne Friedrich are looking forward to capping their memorable seasons by facing the Netherlands in Germany's opening game of UEFA EURO 2004™ at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto on Tuesday.

Fast rise to fame
Philipp Lahm's career has been well documented ever since the 20-year-old burst on to the Bundesliga scene at the start of the 2003/2004 season. Since then he has gone from being an unknown youngster to an Under-21 international before his promotion to the full national team for the first time in February.

'Like a dream'
However, while he should appear in the starting lineup against the Netherlands, the left-back is taking nothing for granted. "It is certainly not the norm for a young player to be involved in a tournament like this. Sometimes it seems like a dream," said the VfB Stuttgart man.

Nerves
"I am really looking forward to the match. I am sure that I will be slightly nervous before kick-off, but hopefully it will be gone when the game starts. I am sure we will get a good result."

Debate over formation
There is debate in the German media over whether coach Rudi Völler will play three or four at the back on Tuesday. Lahm was giving nothing away when he said: "I know what my job will be and I would like to leave it at that."

Lacking experience
Friedrich, meanwhile, is in a similar situation to his team-mate. Although slightly older than Lahm at 24, he too lacks experience at this level. "I have only played two Bundesliga seasons in my career so far," said the Hertha BSC Berlin defender. "Therefore I still consider myself a young player."

Chance to impress
The similarities between the two youngsters continue when it comes to their feelings towards the match against the Netherlands. "I actually quite like the idea of starting the tournament with a match against the Netherlands," said Friedrich. "They are one of the favourites and it will give us the chance to show what we are made of immediately."

Giving nothing away
Of Germany's defensive formation in Porto, he said: "We trained with a certain defensive lineup yesterday and I am sure we will do the same again today. But like everyone else I am not telling you what that lineup was."