Spotlight on Surprise Champions League Finals runners-up Bayer Leverkusen

 

 

 

The final of the champions League of 2002 pitted perennial finalists and winners Real Madrid against Bayer Leverkusen that were appearing in the final for the 1^st time in their history.

 

 

The final itself would always be remembered for that spectacular volley by Zinedine Zidane that turned out to be the winner but the area of interest is with that particular Bayer squad that got to the final.

 

It is just a brief bio on the players, where they are now and a little bit about their careers.

 

Jorg Butt was the goalkeeper and he is currently plying his trade at Benfica where is he an understudy to main keeper Quim. He is a very remarkable goalkeeper as he not only stops penalties; he takes them as well as he has scored an incredible 26 Bundesliga goals in his career.

 

 

He is 34 years of age and was capped 3 times for Germany where he has been unlucky to have Oliver Kahn and Jens Lehmann ahead of him.

 

 

Boris Zivkovic is a 32-year old Croatian defender that has 38 caps for his country scoring 2 goals. He is currently at Hadjut split but he did play briefly for Portsmouth after he left Bayer. He played at right back.

 

 

Diego Placente is a 30-year old Argentine defender who now plays for San Lorenzo in Argentina. He played briefly for Celta Vigo and has been capped 22 times for his country. He played at left back.

 

 

Lucio needs very little introduction as he is currently playing at Bayern Munich and is the current captain of Brazil. He played at centre-back and scored his side only goal.

 

 

 

Carsten Ramelow is a 33-year old German international midfielder that can also play as a centre back. He is 1 of the very few currently at the club and is the current captain. He has played 46 times for his country scoring 3 times. He played at centre-back.

 

 

Zoltan Sebescen is a 33-year old former German midfielder whose career was cut short by a knee injury. He is currently working as a youth team coach at his 1^st club Stuttgart Kickers. He represented his country once and he is of Hungarian descent. He played in midfield.

 

 

 

Oliver Neuville is a 34 year-old current German international who now plays for Borussia Mochengladbach. He can operate as both a winger and a striker with good aplomb. He has 66 caps with 9 goals for his country and played as a winger-cum striker in the final.

 

 

Yildiray Basturk is a 29-year old Turkish international with 45 caps and 2 goals. He currently plays for Bundesliga champions Stuttgart and played as an attacking midfielder in the final.

 

 

Bernd Schneider is a 34-year old German international with 81 caps and 4 goals. He is the current vice-captain of Bayer Lervekusen and played as a winger in the final.

 

Michael Ballack is the current German national team captain and needs no introduction.

 

 

Thomas Brdaric is a 33-year old former German international striker with 8 caps and 1 goal. He is currently at Hannover 96 and played as a striker in the final.

 

 

 

The Substitutes

 

 

Frank Juric is a 34-year old Australian goalkeeper currently plying his trade at Hannover 96. He was an unused substitute in the final.

 

Marko Babic is a 27-year old current Croatian international midfielder with 49 caps and 3 goals. He is currently at Real Betis. He came on for Lucio.

 

 

Ulf Kirsten is a 42-year old ex-German international who represented both East and West Germany totalling 100 caps and 35 goals.  He came on as a substitute in the final for Sebescen

 

Dimitar Bebatov currently plays for Tottenham Hotspurs and needs little introduction. He did come on for Bradric.

 

 

Jurica Vranjes is a 28-year old Croatian international midfielder with 26 caps. He is currently at Werder Bremen. He was an unused substitute in the final.

 

 

Anel Dzaka is a 28-year old ex German under-21 midfielder born in Sarajevo. He currently plays for TuS Koblenz a team in the Bundesliga 2 division. He was an unused substitute in the final.

 

 

Thomas Kleine is a 30 year old German defender that now plays for Borrusia Mochengladbach having joined them in January from Hannover 96. He was an unused substitute in the final.

 

 

 

Klaus Topmoller is 56 and the present coach of Georgia.

 

 

Notable absentees

 

 

Ze Roberto is a 33-year old Brazilian international who now plays for Bayern Munich having joined them together with Michael Ballack from Bayer. He missed the final due to suspension.

 

Jens Nowotny is a retired 34-year old German international defender with 48 caps and 1 goal. He was a very accomplished defender and if not for injuries would have won more caps and being more well known as his abilities were second to none.