Italy 
The Roma midfielder De Rossi featured in every qualifying match for Italy and even captained the side in the final match against Faroe Islands.
That sort of scenario seemed a long way off just two years ago when he was sent off for elbowing USA's Brian McBride in a group game at the 2006 World Cup and was banned for four games.
He did manage to come on as a substitute in the final, scoring in the shoot-out as the Azzuri defeated France, so that shows just how highly he is rated by the Italian management team.
De Rossi, 24, is a combative midfielder but is also very capable on the ball and has become a key player for both club and country in recent times.
Having come through the ranks at Roma, he has now made over 150 appearances for the capital club as they challenge for Serie A and consistently reach the latter stages of the Champions League.
De Rossi has scored four goals for the national side and if he can show his best form in Austria and Switzerland, Italy could well take some stopping.
