TIELEN, Belgium, June 11 (Reuters) - His sensational winning goal in Belgium's 2-1 victory over Sweden on Saturday has turned Emile Mpenza into a national hero overnight.

But for those in Belgium and Germany who have watched him develop, Mpenza's pace, skill and determination have been an open secret for a few seasons.

Emile, 21, and his 23-year-old brother Mbo first made their names at Standard Liege. When both were picked to play for their country early in 1997, it was clear they would be key elements if Belgian football was to lift itself out of the doldrums.

Standard Liege fans were horrified when the club agreed to sell both brothers abroad within a few weeks of each other early this year. Emile went off to the Bundesliga to play for Schalke 04 while Mbo disappeared to sunnier climes, helping Sporting Lisbon win the Portuguese title for the first time since 1982.

Many fans were surprised Emile chose Germany, wondering if the rigours of the Bundesliga would suit his style of play. But everyone now agrees the move - to join Belgian teammates Marc Wilmots and Nico Van Kerckhoven - has been the making of the younger Mpenza.

'I've really improved playing alongside Marc at Schalke,' said Mpenza on Sunday. 'Everyone said the Bundesliga wouldn't suit me. But that's just not true at all. I've learnt that you shouldn't always listen to what other people tell you.'

While the pacy, tricky Emile has established himself as first-choice striker in the national side, he has had to watch in frustration as his older brother has remained on the bench in recent matches.

Mbo, more of a natural winger than his centre-forward sibling, faces tough competition from the likes of Anderlecht's Bart Goor, who opened the scoring on Saturday, and rangy Club Bruges winger Gert Verheyen.

But in a three-week long tournament, Belgian coach Robert Waseige knows Mbo is there in reserve and retains an almost telepathic understanding of the way his brother thinks.

With Euro 2000 featuring three sets of brothers - the Belgian Mpenzas, Dutch De Boers and English Nevilles - the Belgian pair could yet turn out to be the surprise package.

Emile's thumping goal after less than a minute of the second half against Sweden proved to be the killer blow, even if the Swedish players felt he handled the ball when bringing Branko Strupar's knock-down under control.

'It was one of my most important goals since I've been in the national team, and it was certainly the best. Scoring goals is the best way I can repay Mr Waseige and (his predecessor) Georges Leekens.'

Mpenza rejected talk of handball: 'The ref was only five metres away and was better placed to judge than the people who say I handled the ball.'