June 3, 2007 - FINAL: Germany vs. Serbia:
The final of the tournament was held in Wiener Neustadt. 7,000 fans packed into the stadium- which while compared to senior team matches, may come off as meager, was considered decent in U19.
Media from across Europe was present at the occasion. Scouts from every major club were here to find the future stars and add them to their line up.
This was Marco's stage.
Serbia were a physical, organized, dangerous team. They beat Italy and Portugal to reach the final.
The match started with high intensity. Both teams pressing, neither giving an inch.
Germany's wings were the focus point of their attack. Marco, as the left winger was involved in the build up from the start.
The serbian team allocated multiple players to Man mark him, often resorting to tactical fouls to break the flow of the game. But Marco was not their average youth player.
His reading of the game was top notch, and his anticipation of play was becoming more and more proficient. He didn't force the plays. He switched the attack lanes on a whim, effortlessly finding less crowded spots.
34th minute: Marco received a pass wide left. He drove inside, two defenders converging. Instead of shooting, he slipped a through ball to the striker.
The striker rounded the goalkeeper and scored.
1-0.
Serbia equalized in the 58th minute. 1-1.
The final twenty minutes were chaotic. Both teams chasing the winner. Tackles flying. Tension unbearable.
83rd minute: Germany won a free kick thirty five yards from goal, on the left
Marco stood over it. He'd scored from a direct free kick against Greece. But to do that again, the position was a bit far. Could he do it again?
The stadium fell silent. Marco breathed deeply, visualizing the shot.
He struck the ball—with power and intent. Dipping technique, rising to the moment. The ball arced beautifully over the wall, dipping early.
The ball bounced in front of the six yard box, zooming into the top corner. But their goal keeper got a hand on it and stopped the shot with much effort.
But ultimately, it was futile. Boateng, who was in front of the goal, held off the defender and slotted the ball into the net.
2-1.
The German bench exploded. Marco joined the celebration, screaming, teammates burying him.
Referee allocated seven minutes of injury time. Serbia threw everything forward. Germany defended desperately.
The final whistle.
GERMANY: UEFA U19 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS.
Marco collapsed, dead tired. His whole body screaming of ache and at the same time an inexplicable euphoria.
The trophy presentation was a blur—confetti, medals, cameras, chaos.
Marco's tournament statistics:
5 matches
4 goals (joint top scorer)
3 assists (most in tournament)
Player of the Tournament
As Marco lifted the trophy as one of Germany's key players, photographers swarmed. This image would be on every German sports page tomorrow.
* * *
June 4, 2007 - Post-Tournament:
The day after winning, Marco's phone wouldn't stop ringing.
Interview requests from every German sports outlet. Bild, Kicker, Sport1, ARD, ZDF—everyone wanted the story of the eighteen-year-old who'd led Germany to U19 glory.
With the help of his agent, Krahn, he fielded the requests, selecting carefully.
"We'll do three interviews," Krahn decided. "One newspaper, one magazine, one TV. Then you go on vacation. Too much media attention isn't good for you at this stage of your career. It will only bring unwanted pressure and criticism"
That was how it was decided.
June 6, 2007 - Kicker Magazine Interview:
The interview took place in a quiet café in Dortmund. The reporter was experienced and respectful.
Reporter: "Marco, Player of the Tournament at the U19 Euros. You have scored crucial goals throughout. You aided others to score when you cannot do it yourself. Your performance was nothing short of spectacular. Did you expect this?"
Marco: "I knew I could perform at that level. I've been playing against adults all season with Dortmund II. Going back to U19 felt... natural."
Reporter: "You're eighteen now. When do you expect to break into Dortmund's first team?"
Marco: "When I'm ready. Maybe later this year, maybe next year. I am still improving my skills with the reserve team. But I don't think a promotion is too far off . The coaches will decide the final date. I'm just focused on improving every day."
Reporter: "Bayern Munich have reportedly offered you a contract multiple times. Why stay at Dortmund?"
Marco: "Dortmund is my home. I grew up here. I don't want to abandon them as soon as I become famous. They believed in me at fifteen. I believe in them now. I want to win trophies here, not chase them somewhere else."
Reporter: "That's rare in modern football—loyalty over money."
Marco: "My agent taught me something important: if you're good enough, the money comes. But reputation, skill and character—those you build. I'm building mine at Dortmund."
The interview was published two days later. Marco was also eager to see the fruit of his first ever media interview.
The headline of his interview was "Reus: Loyalty Over Glory."
They emphasised his staying at dortmund as sign of his loyalty to the club.
And it resonated. Especially the Dortmund fans loved it. Even neutral observers respected it.
June 8, 2007 - ARD Television Interview:
The TV interview was bigger—national broadcast, prime time, millions of viewers.
The host was Germany's most famous sports journalist, someone who'd interviewed Beckenbauer, Matthäus, Kahn, etc.
Host: "Marco Reus, eighteen years old, European U19 champion, Player of the Tournament. Germany is talking about you. How does that feel?"
Marco: (calm, composed) "Surreal, honestly. The main reason we could achieve this was because we had a great team. Everyone is hungry for wins. Our bond was very special. I am lucky to be part of it. Now I'm here. It's been a journey."
Host: "Let's talk about that journey yourself. Is it true that you were almost released from the academy?"
Marco: (chuckles slowly)" Yes. March 2005. I was on that list. It is true that I was almost released.
Contrary to what you may think, it was not the negligence from their part. At that time, I was not good enough to stay. We were on the brink of bankruptcy, and they decided to cut every one except the elites.
I had to prove I belonged. So I worked—harder than I'd ever worked in my life. Eventually, they gave me a contract."
Host: "And now you're the hottest prospect in German football. Clubs across Europe want you. How do you handle that?"
Marco: "I don't. My agent, Thomas, handles the business. I just play football. Everything else is noise."
Host: "Your agent has publicly said you've rejected multiple offers from Bayern Munich, among others. Why?"
Marco: "It's not that I dislike Bayern or any other club. As you know, I was brought up from the Dortmund youth training. I haven't done anything for them yet. And I am also a local. It's my dream to play for my favourite club."
Host: "That's very mature for an eighteen-year-old."
Marco: (smiling) "I've had good teachers. My parents, my agent, my coaches. They've taught me what matters."
Host: "Last question: What are your goals for the next five years?"
Marco: (pausing, then looking directly at the camera) "Win the Bundesliga with Dortmund. That's my short term goal. Everything comes after that. But it's still a tall order, as I have yet to debut for the senior team"
The studio audience applauded. The host smiled.
Host: "Bold aspirations. You are not going to make it easy for yourself."
Marco: "It won't be worth it if it was anything else."
The interview aired that evening.
Dortmund fans were eager to see him in first team. Their academy product, publicly committing to winning everything with them made him a fan favourite already.
And across Germany, football fans took notice: Marco Reus wasn't just talented. He was different.