When the clock strikes 8pm at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Sunday, 22 players will set out to claim the greatest prize of all. Here we take a look at some of the finalists – the rising stars, unsung heroes, leading lights and explosive talents for whom the FIFA World Cup™ Final signifies a last chance to leave their stamp on Germany 2006.

The lowdown on Italy-France

Rising stars
Frank Ribery: The find of the tournament for France and one of the true revelations of this FIFA World Cup. Selected for the first time against Mexico on 27 May 2006, the Marseille ace has terrified defenders and fashioned a genuine understanding with his idol Zinedine Zidane. The result has been some truly intoxicating football.

Eric Abidal: Unspectacular but supremely effective. Quick to burst forward down the left channel, he is the fourth member of surely the strongest defence in Germany, alongside Lilian Thuram, William Gallas and Willy Sagnol.

Fabio Grosso: The beneficiary of Paolo Maldini's retirement and Francesco Coco's constant injury problems, he has rapidly emerged as Italy's best option at left-back. With a good season at Palermo behind him, he has twice left his mark on this FIFA World Cup: first by winning a last-minute penalty against Australia and then by breaking the deadlock against Germany.

Simone Perrotta : Pacy and more attacking than his position on the left wing would suggest, this protégé of coach Marcello Lippi has surprised observers with his explosive impact.

Unsung heroes
Claude Makelele: He has spun his web across midfield in typical fashion, gathering in stray passes and serving as the departure point for many of Zinedine Zidane's dangerous raids. Patrolling the centre to perfection, he is the conveyor belt through which every French move passes.

William Gallas: Like Chelsea team-mate Makelele, he has cemented his place in the France line-up, forming an unyielding partnership with Lilian Thuram in central defence. In much the same way that Willy Sagnol has blossomed since joining Bayern Munich, so Gallas' career has gone from strength to strength since he left Marseille for west London.

Gennaro Gattuso: Usually seen snapping at players' heels from start to finish, the Azzurri's ball winner never gives an inch. Making light of his small stature, he moves fast to cut off opponents' supply lines and move the ball on to his more illustrious colleagues.

Leading lights
Zinedine Zidane: After a group stage to forget, Zidane burst into life from the Round of 16 on. Spain and Brazil are still counting the cost.

Patrick Vieira: A midfielder of immense power, he kick-started the French campaign by firing in the opener against Togo. With two goals and as many assists in two imperious displays against Togo and Spain, the 'Octopus' proved he is back to his rangy best.

Lilian Thuram: Les Bleus have been so obdurate at the back under his influence it would be easy to imagine him as a fortress-builder in a previous life. The consummate defender, the Juventus star was immaculate against Portugal and counts only a one slip-up in the Spain match against his name.

Fabio Cannavaro: Due to collect his 100th cap in the Final, he is the very personification of courage, selflessness and professionalism. Comparisons with fellow centre-back Thuram will make for one of the more intriguing subplots on Sunday.

Gianluca Zambrotta: Combining the roles of defender and forward, he possesses frightening pace and struck an important goal against Ukraine. Were it not for the crossbar, his thunderous effort against Germany would have netted him a deserved second.

Explosive talents
Thierry Henry: A tally of three goals cannot disguise the fact the Arsenal marksman has yet to repeat his Premiership heroics in a blue shirt. Can the Gunners' all-time leading scorer finally bring his club form to bear on the world's greatest stage?

Francesco Totti: Feted the world over for his club performances, his contribution to the national side has been hampered by a lingering ankle injury. He has been improving from game to game, though, and Italy fans will be hoping the Final finds him back at his peak. The same applies for experienced striker Alessandro Del Piero, scorer of the second in the semi-final win over Germany.