Position: Goalkeeper
Born: 08.01.79
Club: Shakhtar Donetsk

Croatia's first-choice goalkeeper during the last World Cup, Stipe Pletikosa finds himself cast in the role of understudy to Tomislav Butina this summer.

Highly regarded four years ago and thought to be attracting the interest of several of Europe's top clubs, a move to Marseille fell through and after a short spell with Standard Liege he returned to Croatia.

However, impressive performances in Japorea saw his reputation grow further and, after rumours suggesting a possible move to the Premiership, he joined Shakhtar Donetsk in 2003.

To complete a hectic couple of years he was loaned back to former club Hadjuk Split last season and could return there permanently this summer.

Having made his international debut against Denmark in 1999, he is closing in on 50 caps for his country and is well ahead of current No 1 Butina in that respect but the Club Brugge man is the one in possession of the shirt.

An experienced and adept option on the bench for national coach Ratomir Dujkovic, Pletikosa played the two qualifiers for this tournament that Butina didn't.