Doris Fitschen

Most comparisons with the men's game fail to do women justice. Tasked with honouring the achievements of Doris Fitschen, however, many pundits have had little choice but to go in search of analogies. And in doing so, they have reached for the top shelf. The 144-times-capped Germany international was already being referred to as the "female Beckenbauer" at the beginning of her extremely successful career. There are worse comparisons. And less accurate ones. Fitschen and her male counterpart not only had the sweeper position in common, but also the way they interpreted it in many respects - with commanding presence, stellar positional play and great attacking spirit. And both made their international debuts at a young age.

Fitschen had yet to reach adulthood when she made her Germany bow and immediately put her name on the scoresheet. From then on, she was an integral part of the international setup. Aged 20, and wearing the No5 shirt, she was one of the most eye-catching players at the 1989 European Championship on home soil, when Germany won their first major title. Fitschen went on to become one of the biggest role models in the women's game and was instrumental in consolidating Germany's place in the world elite with four more European Championship wins and Olympic bronze in 2000.