Position: Defender

Born: 02.08.78

Club: Dynamo Kiev

Goran Gavrancic was part of the Serbia and Montenegro defence dubbed the famous four after they conceded just one goal in qualifying for the World Cup.

Typically Balkan in build, the towering figure of Gavrancic began his professional career at Cukaricki where he often played in a defensive midfield role.

By 1998 he had had established himself in the first team but Nato's bombing of Serbia was to bring the football season to an early end.

In the two season's that followed Gavrancic started demonstrating his potnetial and in January 2001 he secured a move to Dynamo Kiev.

It was in Ukraine that Gavrancic dropped back into defence and his powerful performances made him a crowd favourite with the Dynamo fans.

Throughout his career the 27-year-old's aerial ability has made him a danger in the air and helped him contribute the odd goal. Indeed the 16 goals he scored in a season for Cukaricki's youth side earned him his first professional contract.

Gavrancic made his debut for Serbia and Montenegro in 2002, at a time when the national side was blighted with in-fighting, a defeat to Azerbaijan being the nadir.

Plavi's (The Blues) change in fortune is largely atributed to the side's defensive qualities but Gavrancic's exemplary attitude has also helped a foster a buoyant team spirit.