Damn you all for making me do this
Lastrador's Baklava 
Borislav MIKHAILOV:
Notorious wig wearer Mikhailov is Bulgaria’s best and most successful ever goalkeeper. Mostly known for his exploits at the 1994 World Cup, where he captained Bulgaria to a surprising fourth place, playing a crucial role with some brilliants saves throughout the tournament, especially in the penalty shootout against Mexico (saving two pens).
He is Bulgaria second most capped player ever and their most capped captain, which goes to show what a massive character he was, playing in three World Cups and one Euro. Besides playing in his native Bulgaria, he also played in Portugal, France and England. He was named Bulgaria player of the year in 1986.
<![CDATA[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/QtMcxvJObr0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/QtMcxvJObr0</a>]]>A very solid goalkeeper, with great fundamentals, good reflexes and a massive personality. A credit to wig wearers all over the world.
Sokratis PAPASTHOPOULOS
Not coming from the strongest of seasons (not entirely his fault), Sokratis still is without a doubt one of Greece best defenders ever. After years playing with Genoa, Milan and Werder Bremen he was signed by his majesty Jurgen Klopp in 2013, and he would established himself as one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga in his 5 years tenure with Dortmund. He has also represented his national side in the 2012 Euro and the 2014 World Cup, advancing from the group stages in both opportunities and being one of standout performers in the latter.
Jurgen Klopp on Sokratis:
"You’re never quite sure if he’s about to kill you"<![CDATA[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/1QAksNeaw7Q" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/1QAksNeaw7Q</a>]]>A leader on the pitch, Sokratis is a quick, strong and aggressive defender, who is both strong in the air and in the tackle. He’s an ideal option for my back three were his athletic capability and aggressive style complements his defensive partners perfectly.
Miroslav ĐUKIC
One of La Liga’s best defenders of the 90’s and early 00’s, Djukic was the heart of Super Depor’s defense. He played for Deportivo la Coruña for seven years and would later join Valencia, where he would play for six more years and help them reach two CL finals and win one Liga in 2002. All in all he played 368 games for two of the best team in Spain and won six major titles. He also earned 48 caps for Yugoslavia.
<![CDATA[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/vh-8Hq1S8Nw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/vh-8Hq1S8Nw</a>]]>Played mostly as a sweeper, Djukic was a classy, elegant and highly intelligent defender who was also strong and fearless on the challenge. He will be the rock of my defense and will help me build from the back with his excellent technique.
Cristian CHIVU
One of Romania most decorated players ever, and along with Popescu and Belodedici one of the best defenders to ever come from that country. Starting in his native country he would then play for Ajax and AS Roma for eight years, establishing himself as one of the most exciting and versatile defenders in Europe, before arriving to Inter. There he would play for seven years and win everything there is to win. Throughout his career he would struggle with injuries, some freaky ones like the time he broke his skull which left him with a massive scar and playing with a rugby cap, but he still managed to play 468 games and was first choice every time he was available. His honors include 4 league titles (3 scudettos and 1 Eredivise), 3 Coppas Italia, 1 CL and 1 Club World Cup. He was three times Romanian players of the year, two times Ajax player of the year and was included in the Uefa team of the year in 2002 and he earned 75 caps for his national team.
<![CDATA[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/zXW-r2j4QJs&t=60s" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/zXW-r2j4QJs&t=60s</a>]]>Contrary to what the Wikipedia page says, Chivu played mostly as a center back, although he would play a lot as a defensive left back with Inter. Like Djukic, Chivu was a technically exquisite defender, great passer of the ball and a very good free kicker. He was very intelligent tactically, versatile and fast with and without the ball. He’s a player capable of defending in the box and in wide areas, and left footed, so he is perfect for playing in a back three.
Srečko KATANEC
Slovenia’s finest midfielder and probably best player ever. At 1.90, Katanec was a dominating figure as a defensive midfielder or as a defender. Mostly known for his time at Sampdoria where he would win one European Cup Winners Cup, one Seria A and one Coppa Italia. He would also help his team reach a European Cups final in 1992. He was also a key part of that exciting Yugoslavia side of the middle 80’s and early 90’s. He amassed 35 caps for Yugoslavia and 5 with Slovenia.
<![CDATA[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/JXC41Zl9XRE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/JXC41Zl9XRE</a>]]> <![CDATA[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/XiSsb0HlTOg&t=35s" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/XiSsb0HlTOg&t=35s</a>]]>He wasn’t a fast or agile player but he dominated with strength, intelligence and aerial prowess. He had very good technique and also was a good goal scorer for a defensive midfielder, mostly from his powerful headers. He will anchor my midfield and help the defense with his defensive skills and aerial domination.
Emre CAN
Not much point in making a long introduction here. He’s been a permanent fixture for some of Europe best sides since his early 20's, which says a lot about his prodigal talent. Unfortunately for him, he decided that Juventus would provide a better platform for his talents and a better chance at winning titles, and in doing so missed the opportunity of lifting number 6. Hard luck Emre lad, hard luck.
<![CDATA[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/cZeFJlAOXm8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/cZeFJlAOXm8</a>]]>Emre Can is a physical specimen of the highest caliber. Tall, strong as an Ox and very fast when he gets going. He’s also technically gifted, a robust tackler and a very good ball carrier. He will help Katanec dominate the midfield with his physicality and help the side by carrying the ball forward whenever he can, Emre Can.
Danijel PRANJIC
Mostly known as Croatia first choice left back in the 00’s and for his time at Bayern. Pranjic was a highly versatile player who could play as a leftback, wingback, winger and even at midfield. He earned 58 caps for Croatia.
<![CDATA[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/aBudAFsfLGM" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/aBudAFsfLGM</a>]]>Offensively very talented. He was a fast, durable and skilful player who had a very good delivery and a knack for scoring goals, he scored 21 goals in one season in Herenveen. He wasn’t a great defender though and he was physically weak. So his role in my side will be primarily offensive, providing the wide on left side and supporting Vucinic who will cut inside. He will support the defense whenever he can though, so no slacking here Dani boy.
Zvonimir BOBAN
Quite simple one of the most talented and overall best players to ever come from the Balkans, but most importantly one of my favorite players ever. A key player for A.C. Milan for close to a decade, he helped them win four Serie A’s and a Champions League in 1994. A proud Croatian, he represented his national team 49 times and captained the side to a heroic third place in the 1998 World Cup.
Zvonimir Boban after he kicked a policeman:
"Here I was, a public face prepared to risk his life, career, and everything that fame could have brought, all because of one ideal, one cause; the Croatian cause"<![CDATA[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/NnrLuAzUPMs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/NnrLuAzUPMs</a>]]>Also:
"fuck the Police"<![CDATA[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/kGFLcTMdvnQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/kGFLcTMdvnQ</a>]]> <![CDATA[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/5WTf2q-0iQY&t=502s" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/5WTf2q-0iQY&t=502s</a>]]><![CDATA[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/1NqYehg1lPY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/1NqYehg1lPY</a>]]>An elegant, technically marvelous player who was a remarkable dribbler, an extraordinaire passer of the ball with outstanding vision and also had a mean shot on him. He also provided the bite that very few if any players of his talent ever had. A true leader on the pitch that lead by example. He was tactically very smart and never shy away from of his defensive responsibilities. At 1,85 cm, he was physically strong and could run for days. He wasn’t a great goal scorer but he could be very dangerous from outside the box or in free kicks. He will be the heartbeat and orchestrator of my team, and will provide my forwards with quality passing and help my other midfielders to dominate the center of the pitch.
Mirko VUCINIC
One of Montenegro most talented players ever. He played almost his entire career in Italy. First in Lecce, then in Roma (2 Coppas Italias) and finally in Juventus where he would win 3 scudettos. He managed to score 127 goals in 416 games in Italy. He’s been named Montenegro player of the year seven times. He was capped 45 times for his national team, scoring 17 goals.
<![CDATA[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/OZcFmdlfJNY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/OZcFmdlfJNY</a>]]> <![CDATA[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/8nhyDf-YqCQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/8nhyDf-YqCQ</a>]]>A quick, skilful and technically excellent forward, he could play on both wings, centrally or even as a second striker. He was an excellent finisher and an even greater passer, with superb vision. He was tall and strong but wasn’t the most hardworking player. Still his offensive production and talent highly compensates for that, and having so many workhorse on my team makes his lack of work rate not a problem. He will start on the left and cut inside, where he can provide his quality passing, skill and shooting.
Adrian MUTU
The most controversial name on my team. The mercurial Romanian, is one of the most talented players to ever come from his country. While mostly known for sniffing cocaine out of supermodels body parts, his exploits on the football pitch are usually criminally underrated. He wasn’t an inconsistent performer a la Recoba who couldn’t be bothered most of the time. When he was on the pitch he was a consistent performer whose offensive production was amazing. There was a reason why he was always required by big clubs even when his off field problems were so notorious. He played most of career in Italy except for an ill fated and coke filled tenure at Chelsea. In Italy he played for Inter, Verona, Parma, Juventus, Fiorentina and Cessena, scoring an eye popping 125 goals in 316 games. The best period of his career came in Fiorentina, where he was for 3-4 years one of the best players in the league and why not Europe. For Romania, he played 77 times scoring 35 goals.
<![CDATA[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/_2eowq13ryU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/_2eowq13ryU</a>]]> <![CDATA[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/HQgk8lQeCIg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/HQgk8lQeCIg</a>]]>A rapid, talented, smart and dangerous forward who could play both as a winger and as a second striker. He was an excellent dribbler and had a great shot on him. He was able to supply his fellow forwards with some great balls from the wings but wasn’t as talented a passer as Vucinic, so he goes right. He will play provide wide on the right side, where he can use his speed and skill but also get more central where he can use his shooting and get in the box to finish some second balls. He was also excellent with his left foot, so that will help him score from that position.
Edin DZEKO
Quite probably Bosnia and Herzegovina best player ever. Safet Sušić has a good claim as the most talented but in terms of overall production and achievements at club level there’s no one even close to him. One of the best and most consistent goal scores in Europe for over a decade, he first come to prominence when he lead Wolfsburg to a surprising Bundesliga title in 2009, providing 23 goals and 10 assists. He would then continue scoring on a similar rate for the next few years until he signed for City. There he would win two Premiere League titles and an F.A. Cup, being a key part on those titles but not always being first choice. He then would move to Roma where he would flourish once again and help them reach a CL semifinals, where he scored 8 goals in 12 games. His career club goal scoring numbers since joining Wolfsburg in 2007 are 244 goals in 510 games. He’s also Bosnia most capped player ever with 103 games, and has scored 56 goals for them.
<![CDATA[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/uDdXc2bc28Q" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/uDdXc2bc28Q</a>]]> <![CDATA[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/2Q7vILKSttI" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/2Q7vILKSttI</a>]]>A tall, strong but very mobile striker. His movement on the box is outstanding and he’s an excellent finisher and header of the ball. He’s also an incredible smart and technically gifted player, who provides many assists to his team mates. He will be the focal point of my attack and will also provide great build up with my other forwards and Boban.
