Mr Anti-America and Mr Bean: Europe's line-up

PAUL CASEY Eng

Age: 29. Caps: 1 (2004). Record: P2 W1 L1. World ranking: 17. Majors: 0.

MR FORM: Won £1m at last week's World Match Play at Wentworth. Fine pedigree in team events marks him as one of Woosnam's main men.

DARREN CLARKE N Irl

Age: 38. Caps: 4 (1997-99-02-04). Record: P17 W7 H3 L7. World ranking: 24. Majors: 0.

MR TALENT: Making an emotional tribute in memory of his wife who died last month, but this most pure of ball-strikers is here as a central competitor first and foremost.

LUKE DONALD Eng

Age 28. Caps: 1 (2004). Record: P4 W2 H1 L1. World ranking: 9. Majors: 0. Other wins: 5.

MR PLOD: Ideal Ryder Cup player. Has metronomic consistency and unshakeable temperament. Certain to play in this afternoon's foursomes and to be among the points.

SERGIO GARCIA Sp

Age: 26. Caps: 3 (1999-2002-04). Record: P15 W10 H2 L3. World ranking: 8. Majors: 0.

MR ANTI-AMERICA: Guaranteed to get under the skin of the Americans. Putting has been a problem but this match transforms him. Nobody cares about this more.

PADRAIG HARRINGTON Irl

Age: 35. Caps: 3 (1999-2002-04). Record: P12 W7 H1 L4. World ranking: 18. Majors: 0.

MR GREEN: Carrying the hopes of the locality. Europe's best player two years ago, will again form formidable partnership with Colin Montgomerie.

DAVID HOWELL Eng

Age: 31. Caps: 1 (2004). Record: P2 W1 L1. World ranking: 13. Majors: 0.

MR IMPROVEMENT: Unheralded two years ago, heralded now. Has brilliant putting game and refuses to be intimidated. Central figure.

ROBERT KARLSSON Swe

Age: 37. Caps: 0. World ranking: 36. Majors: 0.

MR BEAN: Ungainly 6ft 5in frame is not the only similarity with Peter Crouch. Deceptively effective and one to bring on for the fourballs. Birdies arrive in batches for this secret-weapon Swede.

PAUL McGINLEY Irl

Age: 39. Caps: 2 (2002-04). Record: P6 W2 H3 L1. World ranking: 53. Majors: 0.

MR DETERMINATION: If only his form was as brimming as his will. May have to play a peripheral role in the week for which he has waited all his life. Held winning putt at The Belfry on debut.

COLIN MONTGOMERIE Sco

Age: 43. Caps: 7 (1991-93-95-97-99-2002-04). Record: P32 W19 H5 L8. World ranking: 14. Majors: 0.

MR EUROPE: The team leader and bonding agent. Beaten only twice in last 18 cup games and never in singles. Tom Lehman's game plan is "humble Monty, humble Europe". Easier said.

JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL Sp

Age: 40. Caps: 6 (1987-89-91-93-97-99). Record: P28 W15 H5 L8. World ranking: 19. Majors: 2 (Masters 1994-99).

MR COMEBACK: Back after a seven-year gap and after a career-threatening injury. Can tap to anyone's tune with his short game.

HENRIK STENSON Swe

Age 30. Caps: 0. World ranking: 11. Majors: 0.

MR BOOM: Hits it out of sight and is surely a must for Saturday fourballs. Rookie in statistics only. A Ryder mainstay in the making.

LEE WESTWOOD Eng

Age: 33. Caps: 4 (1997-99-2002-04). Record: P20 W11 H1 L8. World ranking: 51. Majors: 0.

MR HORSE FOR THE COURSE: Twice a winner at the K Club and Europe's top points-scorer in 2004 with 4 ¹/2 points out of a possible five. Partnership with Clarke vital to Europe's cause.