Position: Midfielder
Born: 31.01.80
Club: Werder Bremen

Yet to carve himself out a niche as a regular starter, Jurica Vranjes averages just over three caps a year since making his Croatia debut in 1999.

Yet this will be his second World Cup having been a fringe part of the squad that travelled to Japorea four years ago, appearing as a substitute in two of the Croats' group games as they made a meek and premature exit.

Another of Croatia's German connection, the 26-year-old defensive midfielder now plies his trade for Werder Bremen having previously played for Bayer Leverkusen and Stuttart in the Bundesliga.

Vranjes has come through the ranks at international level, representing his country in the 1999 World Youth Cup, and is a strong, skillful midfielder.