Bixente Lizarazu
Club – Bayern Munich

Lizarazu was a key member of the Bayern Munich side which won the 2001 Champions league final. Lizarazu was considered as one of the best attacking full backs in the game during the early 21st century. In tight matches, Lizarazu could get forward and hurt the opposition in the final third of the pitch. Lizarazu joined Munich from Bordeaux. He was a member of the Bordeaux side along with Zidane which reached the 1996 UEFA Cup final, where they came up against his future club, Bayern Munich. The German side came out on top that occasion, though Lizarazu obviously impressed the victors enough to prompt them to take him to Munich.

Gaizka Mendieta
Club – Valencia
Mendieta starred for the Valencia side that reached the 2000 and 20001 champion’s league final, however on both occasions they suffered agonising defeats against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the two final respectively. However despite the defeats his performances were so good he earned the accolade as ‘UEFA’s Midfield player of the year’ in 2001 for his heroic performances in the Champions League.