August 20, 2005 - Semi-Final vs. Netherlands:
The Dutch were favorites of the tournament— they are always technical, always dangerous. They have a very effective academy system. And they have been producing magicians for generations. From Luis van Gaal's ajax dynasty era at 1995, they never experienced a shortage for talents.
But Germany was not far behind.
In the 2002 world cup, the German team made history by reaching the finals with aged squad. After their tragic loss against Ronaldo's brazil in the final, Germany made a revolution by intensely focusing on youth training—where they witnessed the rise several generational talents.
And of course, Marco was one them.
And in midst of the anticipation the vistle blew.
23rd minute: Marco received the ball wide left, three Dutch defenders watching him. He faked the cut inside, then went outside instead. The defenders bit on the fake. Suddenly he was in space, crossing low into the box. The striker met the ball in the eighth yard box—and flew it over the cross bar.
A series of groans could be seen from the sideline. Both managers yelled something from the side lines.
While Marco had a frown on his face.
52nd minute: After a scramble in the midfield, the number 8 midfielder of the Netherlands team got the ball. He dribbled to German players in succession and layed a perfect lofted trough ball for the striker. Even though keeper rushed out to save, the striker effortlessly chippid the ball over him, scoring the first goal of the final.
0-1 Netherlands.
Marko was clenching his first and groaning, expressing his dissatisfaction. Not only at his team mates, but also at himself. Even after the many chances that were created, they failed to capitalise even one.
65th minute: Marco picked up the ball in midfield. A Dutch midfielder pressed aggressively. Marco's first touch took the ball past him with precision. He drove forward, thirty yards of space opening up. The Dutch backline retreated, wary of his pace.
Then he saw it: the striker's run, perfectly timed, splitting two defenders.
Marco's through ball was instant, splitting the defence. But the weight of the pass was slightly off. The rushing goal keeper cleared it before striker could touch it.
The last ten minutes where a show case of German's relentless attack. But the net alienated them until the end.
Final whistle. Netherlands are in the final. If you check the statistics, you can clearly see the German dominance. But final score was quite opposite.
Marko was on his knees, gasping for air. He played tirelessly and almost scored many times.
But luck was not on his side.
"No. It's me who is not good enough. If my stats where a little better, I wouldn't have missed those chances. Alas...sigh...."
Coach Muller approach Marko, "You did nothing wrong, son. We were simply unlucky."
"I know, coach. But it doesn't make it easy."
The coach stood in front of him and put a hand in his shoulder."Okay, listen up. Even the greatest of players would lose some times. But what makes them different is how they handle the result. If you can't even handle that, then you don't deserve to be professional."
Marco was silent for a moment. "Understood."
* * * * * *
Late August 2005 - Dortmund Training Ground:
The return to Dortmund was silent. But coaches and the academy staff lined up to congratulate him.
Coach Werner said to him after the ceremony,
"Marco, you where excellent out there. You made us proud," the coach said, shaking his head with a slight smile. "Although you couldn't win the whole thing, nobody can ignore your value anymore. Marco, you've outgrown U17. You know that, yes?"
"I expected it, Coach."
"You are promoted to U19 squad, effective immediately. You'll train with them starting Monday." Werner's expression grew serious. "But understand—U19 is different. These are seventeen, eighteen, nineteen-year-olds. Bigger. Stronger. Faster. You won't dominate immediately."
Marco nodded calmly. "I understand."
"Good. Stay humble. Keep working, so that next time I can see you lifting the European trophy."
Werner paused. "And Marco? The first team coaches watched your tournament. They're impressed. Keep developing like this, and you'll be training with the senior squad within two years."
If only you knew, Marco thought. Within two years, Klopp will be here. And everything will change.
He was not going to just wait for that time. He was going to train and improve so that, he can be a starter at that time.
* * * *
September 5, 2005 - First U19 Training:
The U19 players were giants.
Not literally, of course. But compared to U17, they looked like men. Broader shoulders, thicker legs, facial hair. Most were eighteen or nineteen. Marco, at sixteen, looked like a child among them.
The first training session was brutal.
Marco got muscled off the ball in practice matches. His passes were cut out by faster, more aggressive defenders. His usual moves—cut inside, through balls—worked, but the margins were smaller. The speed of play was relentless.
After ninety minutes, he was gasping.
"You alright, kid?" a nineteen-year-old striker, named Raphael Lorenz asked, not unkindly.
"Fine," Marco managed. "I guess it's starting trouble."
"You're the one from the European championship, right? Heard you're pretty good."
"Yeah, it's me. And that was U17. This is different."
Raphael grinned. "Welcome to U19. Everyone struggles at first. You'll adapt."
He glanced at the notification from the system:
[Recommended to focus on physical training ]
Marco reviewed the analysis that night. The system was right—he needed to adapt. U17 dominance meant nothing here.
But he'd adapted before. He can do it again.
* * *. *
September-October 2005 :
The first month at U19 level was humbling.
Marco started on the bench for the first three matches. When he came on as a substitute, he was competent but not spectacular.
The coaches were patient, but he could see the questions in their eyes: Is this kid overhyped?
His first start came in early October against Köln U19.
The match was tight, physical, tactical. Köln's right-back was eighteen, experienced and aggressive. He kicked Marco three times in the first twenty minutes—nothing malicious, just establishing dominance.
Marco remembered what he'd learned: Don't force it. Pick your moments.
He stayed patient. Worked hard defensively. Made safe passes. Built trust with teammates.
56th minute, still 0-0. Marco received the ball wide left. The right-back approached cautiously this time, having seen Marco's acceleration in the first half.
He's scared of the pace, Marco realized. Good.
He pushed the ball ahead, accelerating. The right-back backpedaled, giving ground. Marco cut inside—signature move, 9.4/10 precision. The center-back stepped out to close him down.
But the gap was there. And that small inch of space was what all he needed.
Marco shot. Low, hard, far corner.
1-0.
The ball hit the net, and relief flooded through him. His teammates mobbed him. On the sideline, the U19 coach was applauding.
Dortmund held on. 1-0 win. Marco's first U19 goal.
Finally, he'd arrived.
Over the next six weeks, Marco established himself. The adjustment period ended. His quality shone through—vision, technique, intelligence. By November, he was the undisputed starting left winger.
The U19 team climbed the table. Marco's partnerships with teammates developed. Through balls found strikers' runs. His cut-inside move terrorized right-backs weekly.
By December, the doubts were gone. Marco belonged at U19 level.
More than that—he was dominating it.