Marin likely to play

The old adage of sink or swim could well be the term to be applied to German teenager Marko Marin as he looks likely to be one of the surprise selections for Euro 2008 after sparkling in a training camp.
The 19-year-old Bosnian-born midfielder looks like being as surprising a selection as that of then England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson of the untried teenager Theo Walcott for the 2006 World Cup finals -- he didn't get to play one minute.
However, all the indications are that Marin will be given his head among the battle hardened veterans such as Michael Ballack and Bastian Schweinsteiger, who has accrued nearly 50 caps at the young age of 23.
Quite remarkable really given that Marin has not yet played one Bundesliga match, though he played a significant role in Borussia Monchengladbach finishing top of the Second Division, scoring four times and creating 13 goals.
Certainly first choice German international striker Miroslav Klose has no doubts about his ability to handle the biggest stages after seeing him in action over the past week at the training camp in Majorca.
"He (Marin) is very good technically, very adept at dribbling, but what has impressed me the most is that he is not afraid to talk and to put his point across," said the 74-times capped Klose, who with 38 goals is Germany's leading scorer still playing.
Marin, who has even drawn comparisons with Barcelona's Argentinian youngster Lionel Messi, has also drawn eulogies from German coach Joachim Loew.
"I knew after having just watched him for 10 minutes that it was imperative to have him in the squad," said Loew, who admitted to only having watched him once for Monchengladbach.
"He has such a cheekiness, such a carefreeness when he is on the pitch."
Marin, who has been capped five times by the Germans at Under-21 level, is hoping that his decision back in January to turn his back on Bosnia and declare his loyalty to Germany will pay off at the first go in respect of the senior side.
"My dream is to play at Euro, and I am going to do everything possible to persuade the coach to keep me, even if when one is a novice, it is always more difficult," said 'the little magician'.
Ironically Marin's extraordinary rise could prove painful for David Odonkor, who was then coach Jurgen Klinsmann's surprise pick for the 2006 World Cup finals, which proved a master stroke as his speed and crossing ability played a role in them finishing third.
Now he looks like being dispensed with when Loew names his definitive 23-man squad on Wednesday -- a salutary lesson for Marin of the highs and lows in football.
The Beautiful Game can also be the Cruel Game.