Profile

Midfielder Jürgen Säumel has catapulted himself into contention for a place in Austria's UEFA EURO 2008 team after an excellent season in domestic competition with SK Sturm Graz, during which he skippered the Styrian side to a fourth-place finish in the Austrian Bundesliga.

Graduated from Sturm's amateur side to stake first-team claim in 2002/03.

Made UEFA Cup debut in December 2002 at S.S. Lazio, winning game in the Stadio Olimpico 1-0 (but losing tie 2-3).

Handed captaincy at Sturm at the age of 20; ever-present with 36 Austrian Bundesliga appearances (and two goals) in first season with the armband (2004/05).

Injured in 2006/07 but back to his inspirational best in 2007/08 and rewarded with 90 minutes' game time in Austria's first two internationals of 2008 – against Germany (0-3) and Netherlands (3-4) – his third and fourth senior starts.

Did you know?

Säumel played 33 internationals at various youth levels for Austria and won a bronze medal at the 2003 UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Liechtenstein.