Position: Defender
Born: 11.01.74
Club: Bayer Leverkusen

Jens Nowotny is vastly experienced and is seen as one of Germany's finest central defenders.

Although his call-up to the World Cup squad was a shock considering his international exile since Germany's failed Euro 2004 campaign, Nowotny produced some stunning performances towards the end of the season to help Bayer Leverkusen climb up the Bundesliga table.

Some say the fact this 32-year-old is heading to his first World Cup is a miracle considering he suffered unfortunate injuries in the build-up to France 1998 and Japan and Korea 2002.

In February last year Nowotny picked up his fourth cruciate ligament injury and many felt that was the end of his career.

But after battling back to full fitness he has been brought back into the team to add experience to Germany's young defence and this will be important if the hosts are going to emerge victorious.