Ebbe Sand - in the form of his life. (Allsport)

Position: Forward
Born: 24.03.72
Club: Schalke 04

Ebbe Sand is currently in the form of his life as he gears himself up for the World Cup finals

After bursting to international attention in France 98 Sand - who scored against Nigeria after just 24 seconds on the field - has gone from strength to strength and is widely regarded as one of Denmark's greatest strikers.

The Schalke striker has had his fair share of hurdles to overcome though.

After joining Brondby in 1992, he opted to finish his studies and did not sign a pro deal until five years later.

Sand marked his arrival as a professional with two hat-tricks in just 10 days, but then just 12 months later he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

But just three months later he was back in the national team and has since returned to top form.

Sand joined Schalke for £3.3million in 1999 and has twice been runner-up in the Bundesliga Footballer of the Year award.

As well as his deadly eye for goal, Sand has built a reputation as a good tactician with good pace and ability in the air.