Philipp Lahm is proud that his “voice has gained some weight” in the Germany team as they prepare for what he sees as an all-important opening Group B fixture against Poland.

‘Important experience’
The 24-year-old FC Bayern München left-back feels he has grown in stature in the two seasons since the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and is determined to use his hard-won confidence to good effect as Germany seek a win in Klagenfurt on Sunday. “The World Cup is now out of our heads, and the EURO is finally about to start,” he said. “Naturally, it especially important that we start with a victory. Before the World Cup, I had only been a professional for three years. Now I have gathered a lot of important experience in two years in Munich, and my voice has gained some weight in the team.”

Tournament star
After scoring Germany’s first goal of the 2006 World Cup – a screamer against Costa Rica – and impressing throughout, Lahm was regarded as one of the stars of that tournament. He now feels capable of producing an even more commanding performance in Austria and Switzerland: “Now I am more experienced, I need to take more responsibility,” he said. “The tension is definitely rising, but that is normal. Every footballer who comes here is looking forward to the games finally starting.”

Schweinsteiger concern
Lahm is not overly concerned about the pundits billing Germany as pre-finals favourites, saying: “We are just one of many teams who can win this tournament.” He was also quick to scotch media concern over perceived weaknesses in the German defence, and particularly the form of his Bayern team-mate Bastian Schweinsteiger. “I do not see any big problem in the defence and Bastian will find his form,” he said. “He has always been there when we need him. He is a great player and we live off his ideas. He always puts in his best performances at big tournaments and has helped lead us to success.”

Philipp Lahm (born November 11, 1983 in Munich, Bavaria) is a German footballer who currently plays as a defender for Bayern Munich and Germany. He played for Germany at Euro 2004 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and scored the opening goal of the latter tournament. He is considered one of the best young fullbacks in the world, as is shown by his inclusion in the Mastercard All Star Team. He is well known for his pace, dribbling and crossing abilities.

Career

Philipp Lahm developed into a professional football player within the Bayern Munich Junior Team. As Bixente Lizarazu was the main left back for Bayern Munich, Philipp Lahm was loaned to Stuttgart for the 2003/04 and 2004/05 seasons. In July 2005, Philipp Lahm returned to Bayern Munich. However, just before his return to FC Bayern, he suffered a torn cruciate ligament and had to go on rehabilitation. He made his return to Bayern in December 2005.

Although Lahm is right-footed, and while he played as a rightback as a youth, he has also been played effectively at left-back, where his runs with the ball from the left flank and swift cut-ins towards the centre, where he could then shoot with his strong right foot, has been a potent weapon for both Bayern and Germany. However, Lahm has since reverted to right-back, both to accommodate fellow Germany international left-back Marcell Jansen and to replace French rightback Willy Sagnol.

He scored the opening goal of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany against Costa Rica in the 6th minute, cutting inside the area and launching a right foot shot into the top-right corner of the net. He was also the only German player to play all 690 minutes of the 2006 World Cup.

Lahm was nominated for the FIFA World Player of the Year 2006 following his outstanding performance in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He was in contention alongside fellow Germans Michael Ballack, Miroslav Klose and Jens Lehmann, but the award was won on 18 December 2006 by the Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro. However, he was chosen as the left back for the UEFA Team of the Year 2006.

In June 2007, FIFA announced that Lahm and Owen Hargreaves would visit South Africa in advance support for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

On May 16, 2008 FC Bayern signed a new contract with Lahm. His new contract will keep him in Munich until June 20, 2012.

Honors

Club Titles

• Bundesliga: 2003, 2006, 2008
• German Cup: 2003, 2006, 2008
• German Super Cup: 2007

National Team

• Confederations Cup Bronze medallist: 2005
• World Cup Bronze medallist: 2006