(Nigeria)

Pos: Goalie

Club side: Hapoel Tel-Aviv (ISR)

One shaky moment aside, the Nigerian stopper launched himself the goal-frame like a bionic spider insect, sometimes in the direction of the ball too!

(Mexico)

Pos: Defender

Club side: PSV Eindhoven (HOL)

For all of Mexico's 'no fear' attacking spirit, it was their veteran right-back who emerged as their beacon of consistency. At 30, though, he's a bit of a coffin dodger

(Uruguay)

Pos: Defender

Club side: FC Porto (POR)

Imposing, all-round, camera-pouting full-back. He may play for relative European bigwigs Porto, but we'd hedge our bets most of you hadn't heard of him before the tournament

(Uruguay)

Pos: Defender

Club side: Fenerbahce (TUR)

Not just an 'underdog' superstar of the finals, Uruguay's cap'n was very possibly the best defender in the whole tournament, full stop. Bold words, but we mean them

(New Zealand)

Pos: Defender

Club side: Blackburn Rovers (ENG)

Brick-headed human wall against the 'mighty' Italians, and turned in one of the show's best performances as the Kiwis left S.A. with the only unbeaten record. Amazing but true!

(Ghana)

Pos: Holding midfield

Club side: Rosenborg BK (NOR)

23-year-old centre-of-the-park powerhouse who passed with greater precision than Gareth Barry

(Japan)

Pos: Attacking midfield

Club side: CSKA Moscow (RUS)

The 'new Nakata' ripped Denmark a new a-hole with his silky skills. Harry Redknapp joked that he wouldn't swap Honda for Spurs' Bentley, but of course he fucking would!

(Chile)

Pos: Attacking midfield

Club side: Udinese (ITA)

Terrorised eventual champs Spain with his knee-knotting wizardry. He's a winker-free Ronaldo!

(South Africa)

Pos: Winger

Club side: Kaizer Chiefs (S.A.)

Scorer of the tournie's first goal is pining for a move to the Premier League, and he's got a name that's tailor-made for terrace tunesmiths, too. Singing 'Tshaba-la-la-la-la-la-la etc'

(Ghana)

Pos: Striker

Club side: Rennes (FRA)

Muscled through the USA defence like a runaway freight train for his net-destroying 'last 16' winner. The whole world felt his pain when he spooned that quarter-final spot-kick

(Slovakia)

Pos: Striker

Club side: MKE Ankaragucu (TUR)

Thug-headed centre forward who slotted four tournament goals, including a brace that contributed to Italy's elmination. Plays for Turkish mid-table side, yet was still far more effective than Rooney!