The 19-year-old midfielder shone as a second half substitute in Germany's 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in the Euro 2004 Group D match catching the eye with his darting runs forward and self-confidence.

"He is the perfect substitute for either flank and I knew Torsten Frings or Bernd Schneider would be coming off at some stage," explained national team coach Rudi Voller.

Schweinsteiger came on in the 68th minute for the tiring Schneider and impressed in his 22-minute cameo.

"He holds the ball up well and has really impressed in training," added Voller. "I am glad he showed his form in such a big game."

Energy, maturity and natural ability are three attributes Schweinsteiger has in abundance and that has led to him being fast-tracked through to the national team having just broken into the German Under-21 side.

Nothing seems to faze the fearless teenager who did not get overawed about facing France's maestro Zinedine Zidane when Bayern took on Real Madrid in this season's Champions League.

"I am delighted to get a game in front of such a big crowd," enthused Schweinsteiger. "The crowd noise was incredible but I just get on with my game.

A first international cap followed against Hungary in Kaiserslautern and now he has the chance to showcase his talents on the biggest platform of all in Portugal.

"I do not expect to be starting," said Schweinsteiger calmly. "I just want to play as many minutes in Portugal as I can."

Despite an air of confidence the teenage sensation comes across as a perfectionist.

"I have to learn to convert my goalscoring chances and am annoyed that I missed a few against the Dutch," declared Schwein-steiger.

"I gave the ball away a bit too much and that should not happen."

This desire for improvement, which is visible by his relentless practicing of free-kicks in training, will be music to the ears of Bayern's new coach Felix Magath and Voller.

The emergence of German youth in the form of Schwein-steiger along with VfB Stuttgart duo Philipp Lahm, 20, and Kevin Kuranyi, 22, bodes well for Voller and the 2006 World Cup when Germany will be expected to lift the trophy on home soil.

"It is great to have youngsters such as Bastian, Lahm and Kuranyi holding their own in Euro 2004," added assistant coach Michael Skibbe. "It is a cause for optimism for the 2006 World Cup."