- Xabi Alonso
Xabier Alonso Olano, commonly known as Xabi Alonso (born 25 November 1981 in Tolosa, Basque Country Spain, is a Spanish footballer who plays for Liverpool F.C.. He wears the number 14 shirt at Liverpool and is a central midfielder, often playing as a deep-lying playmaker. Alonso has gained the reputation as being one of the best passers of the ball in the world. He also has a reputation for scoring spectacular long range goals, …
- Paulo Ferreira
Paulo Ferreira, full name Paulo Renato Rebocho Ferreira, <small>OIH</small>, born January 18, 1979, is a Portuguese football player. Ferreira is predominantly a right-back, but has also played at left-back and in central defence for Chelsea.
- Ludovic Giuly
Ludovic Giuly is a French footballer who plays as a winger for A.S. Roma. After starting his career with Olympique Lyonnais in 1994, Giuly was signed by AS Monaco FC in January 1998. Then, FC Barcelona payed €7 million to Monaco in order to signed him on June 28, 2004 a contract until June 2008. Giuly has been capped for France, but was removed from his country's Euro 2004 squad due to a heart-breaking leg injury he sustained in the 2004 Champions League Final.
- Rafael van der Vaart
Rafael Ferdinand van der Vaart (born 11 February 1983) is a Dutch footballer who captains Bundesliga side Hamburger SV and plays for the Dutch national team. Van der Vaart was born to a Spanish mother and a Dutch father in Heemskerk, in North Holland. He has scored 11 goals in 44 caps for the national team. His previous clubs were Ajax and De Kennemers in his hometown of Heemskerk. Van der Vaart played for the Netherlands in Euro 2004 and in the 2006 World Cup.
- Paul Robinson
Paul William Robinson (born October 15, 1979 in Beverley) is a professional footballer. He is presently the first-choice goalkeeper for Tottenham Hotspur and England. He started his career at Leeds United, for whom he made 119 appearances before transferring to Tottenham in May 2004.
- Jacques Santini
Jacques Santini is a former football player and current manager. He played for AS Saint-Étienne during the 1970s, and reached the European Cup final with them in 1976. He was recently dismissed from his job as the head coach of AJ Auxerre in Ligue 1, due to the club's failure to qualify for European competition. He has previously managed the Toulouse FC, Lille OSC, AS Saint-Étienne, FC Sochaux, Olympique Lyonnais, the French national team, …
- Carles Puyol
Carles Puyol i Saforcada (born April 13, 1978 in La Pobla de Segur, Catalonia, Spain) is a Spanish footballer who is the current team captain of FC Barcelona. He is a regular in the Spanish national team. Puyol played for Spain at the 2000 Olympics, 2002 FIFA World Cup, Euro 2004 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup; Puyol has been capped over 60 times. He has also played for the unofficial Catalonia national football team in one friendly.
- Philipp Lahm
Philipp Lahm (born November 11, 1983 in Munich, Bavaria) is a German footballer who currently plays as a defender for Bayern Munich and Germany at Euro 2004 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He scored the opening goal of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He is considered one of the best young fullbacks in the world, as is shown by his inclusion in the Mastercard All Star Team. Known to be young and energetic, Lahm's pace is unbelievable, …
- Marcel Desailly
Marcel Desailly (born September 7, 1968 in Accra, Ghana as "Odenke Abbey") is a former French football player and a former star of the French national football team, with whom he won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000. He also enjoyed a distinguished career at club level with several European clubs.
- Willy Sagnol
William "Willy" Sagnol is a French international Defender currently playing for Bayern Munich in Germany's Bundesliga. He was part of the French squad at the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship, 2002 World Cup, Euro 2004 and 2006 World Cup. He is considered as one of the best right backs in professional football.
- Alexander Frei
Alexander Frei (born July 15, 1979 in Basel) is a Swiss footballer. He signed a 4-year contract with Borussia Dortmund on June, 29th. Dortmund paid a transfer fee of approximately 5 million euros for him. He played for Switzerland at Euro 2004 and at the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany. Until now he has been capped 54 times for his country (as of September 2006). Frei is only 3 goals short from being Switzerland's all time top scorer.
- Sylvain Wiltord
Sylvain Wiltord (born May 10, 1974 in Neuilly-sur-Marne) is a French football forward whose parents come from Guadeloupe, France. With the French national team, Wiltord has won Euro 2000 and reached the finals of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Wiltord played for Stade Rennais (1992-97), Girondins de Bordeaux (1997-2000), Arsenal F.C. (2000-04), and since 2004 has been a member of Olympique Lyonnais. For France, Wiltord has been capped 90 times, scoring 26 goals.
- Boudewijn Zenden
Boudewijn "Bolo" Zenden (born August 15, 1976 in Maastricht) is a Dutch footballer who plays most often as a midfielder. Zenden is currently playing for Marseille. He has earned 54 caps and scored 7 goals for the Dutch national team, and he represented his country in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Euro 2000 and Euro 2004 tournaments. Prior to joining Marseille, Zenden played for PSV Eindhoven (1994-98), Barcelona (1998-2001), Chelsea (2001-03), …
- Traianos Dellas
Traianos Dellas (born January 31, 1976 in Greece, is a Greek football player. At 196cm of height (6'5") ,he is a towering, strong defender who plays for the Greece national team and AEK Athens. Dellas had an exceptional tournament at Euro 2004, partnering Michalis Kapsis in the centre of what became an almost unpenetratable Greek defence, leading to his being voted onto the tournament All-star Squad. He scored the goal that put Greece in the final of the tournament, …
- Darijo Srna
Darijo Srna is a Croatian football player who, as of 2004, plays for Shakhtar Donetsk. He plays in the right midfielder position for Croatia, but he plays in the right-back position for Shakhtar Donetsk. He has scored many goals from free kicks, and often makes precise crosses. However his crucial saved penalty by Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi against Japan at the 2006 World Cup played a part in Croatia failing to advance to the second round.
- Marek Jankulovski
Marek Jankulovski is a Czech football left-back of partial ethnic Macedonian origin. He currently plays for A.C. Milan of the Italian Serie A. His father, Pando Jankulovski, emigrated to Czechoslovakia from the Republic of Macedonia; his mother is Czech. Before joining Milan, he played for Baník Ostrava (1994-2000), Napoli (2000-02), and Udinese (2002-05). For the Czech national team, he played in Euro 2000 and Euro 2004.
- Christian Panucci
Christian Panucci (born 12 April, 1973 in Savona) is an Italian football (soccer) player, who currently plays for AS Roma of Italian Serie A. Panucci is a renowned defender who usually plays on the right-hand side. He is a fierce tackler and can also do some good when going up field. He started playing with Genoa in 1992, and then moved to AC Milan. Panucci later moved to Real Madrid (becoming the first Italian to play for the Spanish powerhouse), Inter, Chelsea, …
- Jorge Andrade
Jorge Andrade (pron.), full name Jorge Manuel Almeida Gomes de Andrade, <small>OIH</small>, (born 9 April, 1978) is a football defender. Juventus FC has arrived to an agreement with Deportivo to sign him, he is expected to do his medical and sign the contract soon. While not completely sidestepping an education in the Portuguese top-flight in the manner of a Costinha or Pauleta, …
- Nuno Valente
Nuno Jorge Pereira Silva Valente, <small>OIH</small>, commonly known just as Nuno Valente (pron.), is a Portuguese footballer playing for English club Everton at left back. He was born in Lisbon on September 12, 1974 and has represented Portugal internationally, including several appearances at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup.
- Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Giovanni Christiaan van Bronckhorst, nicknamed "Gio" (born February 5, 1975 in Rotterdam) is a Dutch football defender and midfielder, who currently plays for Feyenoord in de Dutch Eredivisie. His heritage is Dutch-Moluccan. Van Bronckhorst signed a three-year contract with Feyenoord in June 2007, leaving Barcelona as a free agent. Prior to joining Barcelona, Van Bronckhorst played for RKC Waalwijk (1993-94), Feyenoord (1994-98), Rangers (1998-2001), and Arsenal (2001-03).
- Petr Čech
Petr Čech is a Czech international footballer who is currently a goalkeeper for Chelsea F.C. Petr Čech has previously played for Viktoria Plzeň, Chmel Blšany, Sparta Prague, and Rennes, and is considered to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He was voted into the all-star team at Euro 2004 after helping his country reach the semi-finals, best Goalkeeper in the 2004-05 UEFA Champions League, …
- Darius Vassell
Darius Warren Vassell (born June 13 1980 to Jamaican parents in Sutton Coldfield) is an English international footballer who plays club football in the Premiership at Manchester City. Vassell was raised in from Wylde Green and went to the Yenton Primary School in Erdington and John Willmott School, in Falcon Lodge, Sutton Coldfield. He first played football with local junior team Romulus in the Birmingham Boys League, An Aston Villa fan, …
- Carlos Marchena
Carlos Marchena López, popularly known as Marchena born 31 July 1979 in Seville is a Spanish footballer who currently plays centre back for Valencia CF and the Spain. He is a regular first-team choice for both squads. He has been capped 27 times for his country as of 2006. He started his professional career in Sevilla FC by the age of 18 when at that time, the club was still playing in the "Segunda Division".
- Petter Hansson
Petter Hansson ['pɛtɛr 'hɑːnsɔn] (born December 14, 1976 in Söderhamn) is a Swedish footballer who is currently playing in the Frensh Ligue 1 at Stade Rennes. He started his career at Söderhamns FF and was transderred to Halmstads BK in 1998. He made his Allsvenskan debut on 4 October 1998 versus AIK. Petter Hansson became a popular player at Halmstads BK, mainly because his fighting spirit and a strong will to win a match.
- Frank de Boer
Frank de Boer (born May 15, 1970 in Hoorn, Netherlands) is a Dutch football defender. He is the younger twin brother of Ronald de Boer. Having represented his national team 112 times, he became the most capped player in the history of the Netherlands national team, until Edwin van der Sar surpassed him. De Boer made his debut for Holland in September 1990 against Italy. He began his career as a left back at Ajax before switching to centre back, …
- David Rozehnal
David Rozehnal is a Czech football player who plays for the FA Premier League club Newcastle United. Rozehnal played for the Czech Republic at the Euro 2004 and all three of their games at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. At club level, he has represented Sigma Olomouc and Club Brugge. He won the title with Brugge in 2005. Rozehnal impressed at Paris Saint Germain in the 2006-07 season and was named as the club's Player of the Year.
- Christian Wilhelmsson
Christian "Chippen" Wilhelmsson (born December 8, 1979 in Malmö) is a professional football player who plays for FC Nantes of the French Ligue 1 in midfield and for the Swedish national team Wilhelmsson started his career with Mjällby AIF in 1997 where he stayed for three seasons. In 2000 he played for Norwegian team Stabæk I.F. before joining Anderlecht in 2003. Wilhelmsson represented Sweden at Euro 2004 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
- Lars Lagerbäck
Lars "Lasse" Lagerbäck [laːʂ 'lɑsɛ 'laːgɛrbɛk] (born 16 July 1948) is a football manager. After Euro 2004, he became the sole manager for the Sweden national football team. He first joined the national team's coaching staff in 1997 as an assistant to Tommy Söderberg, and was promoted to joint coach in 2000. The pair led Sweden through the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004; after the latter event, …
- Antonios Nikopolidis
Antonios Nikopolidis (given name also rendered as Andonis; Greek: Αντώνιος Νικοπολίδης, born 14 October 1971 in Arta) is a Greek football player, a goalkeeper for Olympiacos and the Greek national football team. He's mostly known for being the goalkeeper of the Euro 2004 winners. One of the best goalkeepers Greece has ever produced.
- Raúl González
Raúl González Blanco, usually referred to simply as Raúl, is a Spanish football forward. He has been playing for Real Madrid at senior level since 1994, where he is the team captain. He has played more than 100 games for the Spanish national team, and is its all-time leading goal scorer with 47 goals. He represented Spain in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Euro 2000, the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Euro 2004 and 2006 FIFA World Cup tournaments.
- Igor Tudor
Igor Tudor (born April 16, 1978 in Split, SR Crotia, SFR Yugoslavia) is a Croatian football (soccer) defender. He currently plays for Hajduk Split
- Marcus Allbäck
Marcus Christian Allbäck, born July 5, 1973 in Göteborg, is a Swedish football striker, who currently plays for F.C. Copenhagen in Denmark.
- Wilfred Bouma
Wilfred Bouma (born June 15, 1978 in Helmond, Netherlands) is a Dutch football (soccer) player who currently plays for English club Aston Villa.
- Nigel de Jong
Nigel de Jong (born November 30, 1984 in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland) is a Dutch football player, currently playing for Hamburg. Nigel de Jong is the son of Dutch footballer Jerry de Jong. He began as a youth player for Ajax Amsterdam. In October 2002 he made his debut for Ajax's first team. He quickly made an impact and became a favourite with the fans.
- Massimo Oddo
Massimo Oddo, Cavaliere Ufficiale OMRI, (born June 14, 1976 in Città Sant'Angelo, Pescara) is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer, who plays for A.C. Milan and Italy in the role of right-back.
- James McFadden
James McFadden (born April 14, 1983 in Springburn, Glasgow) is a Scottish professional footballer currently playing as a striker for Everton in the English Premier League.
- Jerko Leko
Jerko Leko (born April 9, 1980 in Zagreb) is a Croatian football player who currently plays for AS Monaco FC after joining on a free transfer from Dynamo Kyiv. He is well-known for his versatility, and can play anywhere in midfield. His career began with NK Dinamo Zagreb in 2000 in his native Croatia, although he was not an immediate success. After spending some time on loan at NK Sesvete, he became a regular starter in 2001/2002, helping Dinamo win the Croatian Cup.
- Thomas Gravesen
Thomas Gravesen (born March 11, 1976) is a Danish professional football (soccer) player who plays as a midfielder for Scottish Premier League club Celtic. For the Denmark national football team, Gravesen was capped 66 times and scored 5 goals, from his debut in August 1998 until he ended his national team career in September 2006. He represented Denmark at the international Euro 2000, 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004 tournaments.
- Martin Petrov
Martin Ivaylov Petrov (born January 15, 1979 in Vratsa) is a Bulgarian football player currently playing for Atlético Madrid in Spain. He began his career for CSKA Sofia and after a successful two games against Servette in the UEFA Cup, the Swiss side bought the 19-year-old for 1.2 m. German marks. Soon he moved to the German Bundesliga and established himself as a very explosive player for VfL Wolfsburg.
- Marek Heinz
Marek Heinz is a Czech football striker who is currently playing for AS Saint-Étienne. Heinz previously played for Sigma Olomouc (1996-2000), Hamburg (2000-02), Arminia Bielefeld (2003), Baník Ostrava (2003-04), Borussia Mönchengladbach (2004-05) and Galatasaray SK (2005-06). For the Czech national team, he played in Euro 2004. After joining Hamburg from Sigma Olomouc at the start of 2000-2001, Heinz was constantly failing to find his feet on club level.