Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is the picture of poise and confidence. (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) MARK SCHWARZER
Born: Oct. 6, 1972, in Sydney, Australia
Position: Goalkeeper
Nickname: Warz
Clubs played for: Schwarzer played three seasons with Australian club Marconi Stallions before signing with Germany's Dynamo Dresden in 1994. His next port of call was Kaiserslautern, but he ended up moving to England in 1996, joining Bradford City. After a brief stint there he was shipped off to Middlesbrough, where he spent 11 years (and helped the club reach the UEFA Cup final in 2006), while cementing his reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premiership. He's played for London-based Fulham since 2008.
International career: Schwarzer made his debut for the national team in 1993 and hasn't looked back since, accumulating over 70 caps for the Socceroos. The former Middlesbrough shot-stopper was instrumental in helping Australia qualify for the 2006 World Cup, saving two penalties in a shootout in the decisive game against Uruguay.
Why is he so special? A talented shot-stopper, Schwarzer is the picture of confidence between the posts, making athletic saves look remarkably easy and effectively organizing his defenders in front of him.
His most famous moment: Stopping Manchester City's Robbie Fowler on a penalty shot in stoppage time on the last day of the 2004-05 season to help preserve a 1-0 win, a result that clinched a UEFA Cup berth for Middlesbrough.
He said it: "When you have been at one club for such a long period of time you become part of the furniture. It is nice to move on and prove yourself all over again. You can't take anything for granted whatsoever." (Reflecting on his first season at Fulham after spending the previous 11 years at Middlesbrough)
What they're saying about him: "The stability he has brought to the team is something you can see in the confidence the [defenders] have in him." - Roy Hodgson, Fulham manager
Here's an interesting fact: Schwarzer made his international debut for Australia in a World Cup qualifier against Canada in Edmonton in July 1993.