Position: Defender
Born: 09.10.81
Club: Monaco

Handed his international debut a month after France's exit from Euro 2004, Gael Givet is a committed performer who makes up for what - if anything - he lacks in ability with a willingness to put in 100% effort from first whistle to last.

A Monaco player since his teens, Givet already captains the Ligue 1 side despite being just 24 and is the rock on which their sensational and surprise Champions League run last year was based.

If Givet had been born in England rather than Arles - the same French city as fellow World Cup squad member Djibril Cisse - he would be described as a 'typical English centre-half' but his relish for the nitty gritty makes him somewhat unusual in continental stoppers.

Only three players appeared in more than the seven games Givet did during qualifying for this tournament and he can therefore consider himself a hugely important member of Raymond Domenech's squad despite his inexperience.