Profile

A dependable, tactically astute defensive midfielder, Torsten Frings has been sidelined with injury for most of the 2007/08 season, but with just four defeats in 34 competitive internationals, his value to Germany cannot be overstated.

Now in second spell at Werder Bremen following three years away – two at BV Borussia Dortmund and one at FC Bayern München.

Won 2004/05 Bundesliga/DFB-Pokal double with Bayern but first trophy success – 1999 German Cup – came at the Bavarian club's expense when Bremen won on penalties (just four days after Bayern's UEFA Champions League final defeat to Manchester United FC).

German international since February 2001, did not play in 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign but on field for every minute at finals (despite just eight caps pre-tournament).

Also UEFA EURO 2004 ever-present (three games) – scored goal in first game versus Netherlands; repeated trick in 2006 World Cup opener against Costa Rica with long-range strike.

Played six games in 2006 World Cup; badly missed in semi-final defeat against Italy (was suspended).

Took international goal tally into double figures with penalty in UEFA EURO 2008 home qualifier against San Marino (6-0).

Did you know?

Frings once owned a tame raccoon as a pet but, believing it to be not as house-trained as he thought and with his wife pregnant, he gave it away to a friend after six months.