Position: Defender
Born: 14.05.80
Club: Ajax

Zdenek Grygera is one of the Czech Republic's most important players as he stands tall in the centre of their stringent defence.

Now in his mid-twenties, Grygera is at the peak of his game and consistently performed to an impeccable standard as he helped his country to the World Cup finals.

Happy either at right-back or in the centre of a back three or four, Grygera made his international debut against South Korea in August 2001 and was a key player in the Czechs' impressive run to the semi-finals at Euro 2004.

A hugely talented defender, Grygera won two Czech titles in his three seasons with Sparta Prague prior to his 3.5million euro move to Ajax in the summer of 2003.

Despite suffering several injury setbacks in his time at the Amsterdam ArenA, Grygera has become one of the Eredivisie's most valuable players since helping his club claim the Dutch title in 2004.