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Who makes the grade for our European Solheim Cup Dream Team?

Catriona Matthew is preparing to make her eighth Solheim Cup appearance

We picked a European Solheim Cup Dream Team and asked Catriona Matthew to give her verdict on our selections. Here are the results ...

Annika Sorenstam

CM: "World No 1 for years, and she would be a candidate for the best woman golfer of all time along with Kathy Whitworth. I was fortunate to partner Annika on a few occasions, and she was a great partner to have.

Annika Sorenstam and Carin Koch were a formidable partnership
Image: Annika Sorenstam and Carin Koch were a formidable partnership

Carin Koch

CM: "Carin has a tremendous record in the Solheim Cup. In 2000 she won all three of her matches and holed the winning putt, and she won four-and-a-half points out of five two years later. She is such a good match player."

Dame Laura Davies 

CM: "You simply can't have a European team without Laura. She played in all of the first 12 Solheim Cups, and she had such a massive impact on ladies' golf in Europe. She was a dominant figure for 20 years."

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Suzann Pettersen celebrates with Laura Davies in 2011
Image: Suzann Pettersen celebrates with Laura Davies in 2011

Suzann Pettersen

CM: "Suzann brings a certain amount of fire and intensity to the team. I've been lucky enough to be in a few teams with her. She can be quite intimidating, but once you get to know her she's great fun as well."

Sophie Gustafson

CM: "Sophie was a stalwart of the European team and won a lot of tournaments. She was a very big hitter and a great Solheim Cup player."

Catriona Matthew and Sophie Gustafson played key roles in Europe's 2003 victory
Image: Catriona Matthew and Sophie Gustafson played key roles in Europe's 2003 victory

Catriona Matthew

CM: "I'm happy I managed to squeak in there, I suppose it's because I've been around long enough!"

Trish Johnson

CM: "Trish had a good spell playing in the United States and appeared on a lot of Solheim Cup teams. She is a very gritty competitor, and still playing well - even though she's older than me!"

Trish Johnson and Alison Nicholas at the Solheim Cup in 1994
Image: Trish Johnson and Alison Nicholas at the Solheim Cup in 1994

Alison Nicholas

CM: "She had such a superb run in 1997 when she won the US Open, and she had a great partnership with Laura Davies in the Solheim Cup."

Helen Alfredsson

CM: "Helen is a very fiery, but also a bubbly character and she was great fun to have in the team lifting everyone's spirits."

Maria Hjorth partnering Catriona Matthew in the opening session in 2009
Image: Maria Hjorth partnering Catriona Matthew in the opening session in 2009

Maria Hjorth

CM: "I'm good friends with Maria, and she was close to making the team again as a player this year instead of being a vice-captain. Maria played in five Solheim Cups and has a decent record. She's had her struggles over the last few years, but it's great to see her playing well again."

Liselotte Neumann

CM: "She was a good steadying influence on the team. In many ways she's a lot like me, steady, solid and dependable."

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Catrin Nilsmark

CM: "She was a great player and captain. She led the side twice in 2003 and 2005. As a player she was a superb putter, and she holed the winning putt for Europe's first win in 1992 at Dalmahoy."

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