Schweinsteiger hails new era

Germany manager Joachim Loew has chosen some of the Bundesliga’s brightest young stars to make their international debuts in Gothenburg.

Borussia Dortmund left-back Marcel Schmelzer and 18-year-old playmaker Mario Goetze are in the mix for their first caps, while Mainz attackers Lewis Holtby and Andre Schurrle could also start.

Dortmund’s Mats Hummels and Kevin Grosskreutz are other young players vying for selction, and both would be earn their second cap should they play.

Schweinsteiger believes each of the new faces has something to offer the national side.

“These are players with great potential – they’re between 18 and 21 and in this regard we’re ahead of other national teams,” he told Reuters on Tuesday.

“It’s an important point and for a coach it’s of course increasingly difficult to select the players because there are more players available but I think that for the nation it’s great.”

Bayern Munich midfielder Schweinsteiger is keen for a win against Sweden, mindful of their 2-1 loss to England in Germany’s last game of 2009.

“Now we want, of course, to win the last game of the season,” Schweinsteiger said.

“Last year in Berlin I can remember we unfortunately lost the last match of the year against England and it shouldn’t happen this time and therefore we’ll do everything – despite having a new and mixed team – we’ll do everything to win our last game.”

Germany goalkeeper Rene Adler is also looking forward to a strong showing in Wednesday’s match.

The 25-year-old Bayer Leverkusen shot-stopper will be looking to put the disappointment of missing the 2010 World Cup with a rib injury behind him at Ullevi Stadium, and he credits Loew for helping restore his confidence.

“I’m happy that I was able and allowed to return to the national team relatively quickly and contribute to some successful (Euro 2012) qualifying games,” Adler said.

“It was difficult for us as a team and for the players who played in the World Cup to change gear after such an emotional World Cup and return to the everyday qualifiers.”

“For me it’s nice to be playing again and that the coach and the coaching team have given me the confidence to play the last game (of the year) for my country and I’m very happy.”