Italy: Gianluigi Buffon

Italy's first-choice goalkeeper, Buffon will be kept on his toes in the 2002 World Cup by the presence of Inter Milan's Francesco Toldo.

But it is the Juventus goalkeeper who is likely to get the nod for Italy's opener against Ecuador.

After sitting on the bench for Italy's first three qualifying matches, Buffon took over from Toldo and started the remaining five games.

Buffon started his career at Parma, making his Serie A debut as a 17-year old. Despite his lack of experience he took the Man of the Match award.

For the next five seasons he was Parma's first choice goalkeeper, playing 168 games for the club, until a world record transfer £32million fee for a goalkeeper sealed a move to Juventus, where he replaced Edwin van der Sar.

Buffon was part of the Italy team that won the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 1996.

Although he was in Italy's squad at the 1998 World Cup he did not play, being third-choice behind Gianluca Pagliuca and Toldo.

Buffon then missed out on Euro 2000 through injury, so the World Cup is the ideal stage for this agile goalkeeper to show his talents on the world stage.