Starting 11 Substitutes
Formation: 3-4D-3
[1] BUFFON Gianluigi (ITA): Undoubtedly the best goalkeeper at the moment. Reliable and has impeccable reflexes.
Date of birth: 28 January 1978 Height: 190 cm Weight: 83 kg Position: Goalkeeper Current Club: Juventus (ITA) Int'l Caps: 66 (as of 4-Jul-2006) First Int'l Cap: Russia v. Italy (29-Oct-1997)
[2] THURAM Lilian (FRA): A formidable character in any team. Experienced and has given rock-solid performances throughout his career. Despite his age, he is still quick on his feet.
Date of birth: 1 January 1972 Height: 185 cm Weight: 80 kg Position: Defender Current Club: Juventus (ITA) Int'l Goals: 2 (as of 5-Jul-2006) Int'l Caps: 120 (as of 5-Jul-2006) First Int'l Cap: France v. Czech Republic (17-Aug-1994)
[3] CANNAVARO Fabio (ITA): In excellent form throughout the tournament. Rarely makes mistakes and has great power.
Date of birth: 13 September 1973 Height: 175 cm Weight: 72 kg Position: Defender Current Club: Juventus (ITA) Int'l Goals: 1 (as of 4-Jul-2006) Int'l Caps: 99 (as of 4-Jul-2006) First Int'l Cap: Italy v. Northern Ireland (22-Jan-1997)
[4] LAHM Philipp (GER): What he lacks in height, he makes up in speed. Loves to move forward through the left flank to set up opportunities for the forwards.
Date of birth: 11 November 1983 Height: 170 cm Weight: 62 kg Position: Defender Current Club: Bayern Munich (GER) Int'l Goals: 2 (as of 4-Jul-2006) Int'l Caps: 24 (as of 4-Jul-2006) First Int'l Cap: Croatia v. Germany (18-Feb-2004)
[5] GERRARD Steven (ENG): The hardest working player you can find. Plays in defensive midfield and helps the defence out when needed, with excellent tackling skills. Has a relatively good long-range shot and good passing skills.
Date of birth: 30 May 1980 Height: 188 cm Weight: 78 kg Position: Midfielder Current Club: Liverpool (ENG) Int'l Goals: 9 (as of 1-Jul-2006) Int'l Caps: 47 (as of 1-Jul-2006) First Int'l Cap: England v Ukraine (31-May-2000)
[6] RIBERY Frank (FRA): Fast, tricky and talented. Has built quite a reputation during the tournament.
Date of birth: 7 April 1983 Height: 175 cm Weight: 72 kg Position: Midfielder Current Club: Marseille (FRA) Int'l Goals: 1 (as of 5-Jul-2006) Int'l Caps: 9 (as of 5-Jul-2006) First Int'l Cap: France v. Mexico (27-May-2006)
[7] ZIDANE Zinedine (FRA): Has been inspirational throught the tournament even at his age. Works wonders with the ball. My choice for captain.
Date of birth: 23 June 1972 Height: 185 cm Weight: 78 kg Position: Midfielder Current Club: Real Madrid (ESP) Int'l Goals: 30 (as of 5-Jul-2006) Int'l Caps: 107 (as of 5-Jul-2006) First Int'l Cap: France v. Czech Republic (17-Aug-1994)
[8] KAKA (BRA): Has excellent ball skills and good stamina. An aggressive attacking midfielder who strikes the ball well.
Date of birth: 22 April 1982 Height: 183 cm Weight: 73 kg Position: Midfielder Current Club: AC Milan (ITA) Int'l Goals: 14 (as of 1-Jul-2006) Int'l Caps: 43 (as of 1-Jul-2006) First Int'l Cap: Brazil v. Bolivia (31-Jan-2002)
[9] KLOSE Miroslav (GER): In the running for the golden shoe in this world cup. This quiet striker has good aerial ability and is not too proud to pass the ball. Often creates chances for other players to score. A true team player.
Date of birth: 9 June 1978 Height: 182 cm Weight: 74 kg Position: Forward Current Club: Werder Bremen (GER) Int'l Goals: 29 (as of 4-Jul-2006) Int'l Caps: 61 (as of 4-Jul-2006) First Int'l Cap: Germany v. Albania (24-Mar-2001)
[10] PODOLSKI Lukas (GER): Young and talented. Has good vision, great speed and never too tired to chase the ball.
Date of birth: 4 June 1985 Height: 180 cm Weight: 81 kg Position: Forward Current Club: FC Cologne (GER) Int'l Goals: 15 (as of 4-Jul-2006) Int'l Caps: 31 (as of 4-Jul-2006) First Int'l Cap: Germany v. Hungary (6-Jun-2004)
[11] VILLA David (ESP): Has good work ethic often drifting back to midfield to help the flow of the game and creates chances. Passes the ball well but also has the speed to run the flanks.
Date of birth: 3 December 1981 Height: 175 cm Weight: 69 kg Position: Forward Current Club: Valencia (ESP) Int'l Goals: 5 (as of 27-Jun-2006) Int'l Caps: 12 (as of 27-Jun-2006) First Int'l Cap: Spain v. San Marino (9-Feb-2005)
[12] CASILLAS Iker (ESP): Has good reflexes and agility. He is focused, fearless and cool under pressure especially in one-on-one situations.
Date of birth: 20 May 1981 Height: 184 cm Weight: 80 kg Position: Goalkeeper Current Club: Real Madrid (ESP) Int'l Caps: 61 (as of 27-Jun-2006) First Int'l Cap: Sweden v. Spain (3-Jun-2000)
[13] FRIEDRICH Arne (GER): A very quiet player but is a dedicated defender. Every team has a surprise inclusion, this is mine.
Date of birth: 29 May 1979 Height: 185 cm Weight: 78 kg Position: Defender Current Club: Hertha Berlin (GER) Int'l Caps: 42 (as of 4-Jul-2006) First Int'l Cap: Bulgaria v. Germany (21-Aug-2002)
[14] GROSSO Fabio (ITA): Lacks a bit of speed but has great strength and good instincts. Doubles as a midfielder he knows how to work the ball well.
Date of birth: 28 November 1977 Height: 190 cm Weight: 82 kg Position: Defender Current Club: Palermo (ITA) Int'l Goals: 2 (as of 4-Jul-2006) Int'l Caps: 22 (as of 4-Jul-2006) First Int'l Cap: Switzerland v. Italy (30-Apr-2003)
[15] PIRLO Andrea (ITA): Passes the ball with accuracy but also comfortable in a defensive role. Works the midfield well.
Date of birth: 19 May 1979 Height: 177 cm Weight: 65 kg Position: Midfielder Current Club: AC Milan (ITA) Int'l Goals: 5 (as of 4-Jul-2006) Int'l Caps: 30 (as of 4-Jul-2006) First Int'l Cap: Azerbaijan v. Italy (7-Sep-2002)
[16] KALLSTROM Kim (SWE): A fast and mobile midfielder with good tactical awareness. A playmaker who has the ability to impose great influence on a match when required.
Date of birth: 24 August 1982 Height: 181 cm Weight: 79 kg Position: Midfielder Current Club: Rennes (FRA) Int'l Goals: 4 (as of 24-Jun-2006) Int'l Caps: 38 (as of 24-Jun-2006) First Int'l Cap: Sweden v. Finland (1-Feb-2001)
[17] HENRY Thierry (FRA): One of the most talented strikers in the world. However his spell in this world cup could have been better.
Date of birth: 17 August 1977 Height: 188 cm Weight: 83 kg Position: Forward Current Club: Arsenal (ENG) Int'l Goals: 36 (as of 5-Jul-2006) Int'l Caps: 84 (as of 5-Jul-2006) First Int'l Cap: France v. South Africa (11-Oct-1997)
[18] TORRES Fernando (ESP): Has the quality of a star in the making. Has great speed, controls the ball well and has an eye for the goal. A modern striker who chases the ball.
Date of birth: 20 March 1984 Height: 181 cm Weight: 78 kg Position: Forward Current Club: Atletico Madrid (ESP) Int'l Goals: 13 (as of 27-Jun-2006) Int'l Caps: 34 (as of 27-Jun-2006) First Int'l Cap: Portugal v. Spain (6-Sep-2003)
Coach of the Tournament: KLINSMANN Juergen (GER) - I think what he has done for the German team is truely remarkable. German football is now much more entertaining.
Young player of the Tournament: PODOLSKI Lukas (GER) - Has been in great form for the German team, scoring 3 goals in the tournament. Not only is he talent but he has a great work ethic. We will see great things from him.
Player of the Tournament: ZIDANE Zinedine (FRA) - Led the French past a rather unconvincing second placement in the group stage to the final. Has been in inspirational form even at the age of 34.
Favourite Team of the Tournament: Deutschland (GER) - Even though the did not make it to the final, they definitely did not disappoint their fans. They faught hard till the very end. Good work Deutschland!
Least Favourite Team of the Tournament: Portugal (POR) - Undoubtedly with the worst discipline in the tournament after the match against Nederland (NED). Never without some feeble attempt to get a freekick or penalty by diving. They should be ashamed.
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