It reached a peak on Saturday, when Matthew came off the bench to help FC Nurnberg to a 3-2 extra- time defeat of Stuttgart in the German cup final, played in front of 74,000 at the same venue as last year's World Cup final.

And it could take another significant step this weekend after the 19-year-old was named in the Australia squad to play Uruguay at Sydney's Telstra Stadium.

"If it's on TV I will definitely be watching it," said Matthew's proud pop Jure "George" Spiranovic at his Mowbray home.

"He is a real little terrier and has always been a good player. He was captain of Victoria and playing for them when he was just 16. His coach in Germany told us they reckon he is a very talented young man and willing to learn."

The 77-year-old founder and former president of Launceston Croatia, who left the Dalmatian Coast in 1944 to escape occupation, added: "All my family is into soccer, even the girls."

Mr Spiranovic's sons Michael and John were both born in Yorkshire, England, before the family moved to Launceston in 1960.

Michael played for Launceston Croatia and later Juventus, winning the George Dale award for the best player in the Northern leagues before, in 1978, moving to Geelong where Matthew was born.

John, who stayed in Launceston and is deputy principal of Newstead College, said: "We see Matthew now and again and are very proud. It's no mean feat. We'll definitely be keeping an eye on the game."

With four Croatian grandparents and an English-born father, Matthew was eligible to play for three countries.

"He's always said that he'd prefer to play for Australia," John said. "We were very pleased when we saw he had been named but had an inkling it was coming. My brother rang and said to look out because he'd had a call from Andrew Orsatti, of SBS."

After failing to secure an A-League contract, Matthew was offered a trial with Croatia's Hadjuk Split but instead joined German Bundesliga side FC Nurnberg where his rise has been very impressive.

Even Sydney FC coach Branko Culina has been talking up the young defender.

Speaking on SBS's The World Game on Sunday, he said: "I'm excited by the prospect of seeing someone like Matthew Spiranovic who has had a fantastic season with Nurnberg. It will be terrific to see how he slots in and plays at this level."

He added: "I remember him as a 15-year-old and he was the stand-out for Victoria in those days. He is very tall and comfortable on the ball. He is not one of those players that just wins it, he can do something with it as well."

MATT SPIRANOVIC FACTS

Date of birth: [BB]June 27, 1988

[BB] Birthplace: [BB]Geelong (VIC)

[BB] Height:[BB]192cm

[BB] Weight: [BB]85kg

[BB] Clubs: [BB]North Geelong (VIC), Keilor Park (VIC), Melbourne Knights (VIC), Victorian Institute of Sport, Australian Institute of Sport, Qantas Socceroos, FC Nurnberg (Germany) Honours: 2005 FIFA under- 17 world championship (Peru)

Playing position: Defender

Young Socceroos appearances: 10

Football Federation Australian Web site biography: One of the most highly promising players to appear on the scene in recent years. His rise up the ranks at Nurnberg has been nothing short of remarkable, getting regular game time in the first team, alongside Australian teammate Michael Beauchamp. Having tried unsuccessfully to get him for the under-23s due to club commitments, his call-up to the full national team is a testament to the future he has with the Socceroos for many years to come.