UEFA announces team of the year

Five French internationals have been named in UEFA's team of the year for 2001 as voted by users of UEFA's website.

Five French internationals have been named in UEFA's team of the year for 2001 as voted by users of UEFA's website.

Patrick Vieira was selected in midfield alongside compatriot Zinedine Zidane, Argentine Kily Gonzalez of Valencia and England captain David Beckham, who received twice as many votes as World Player of the Year Luis Figo

Thierry Henry was chosen to partner his fellow Frenchmen David Trezeguet in attack, with European Footballer of the Year Michael Owen well down the list of strikers which included Diego Tristan, Henrik Larsson, Andriy Shevchenko and Mario Jardel.

France full-back Bixente Lizarazu joined a cosmopolitan defensive line with Finland's Sami Hyypia, Romanian Cosmin Contra and Swede Patrik Andersson.

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Valencia's Spanish international Santiago Canizares earned a place in goal, with Liverpool's Gerard Houllier as the team coach.

Houllier, who led Liverpool to five trophies during the year and is recovering from heart surgery, received 45 percent of votes, more than twice as many as his nearest challengers, Mane of Spanish club Alaves and Inter Milan's Hector Cuper.

Team: Santiago Canizares (Valencia), Cosmin Contra (AC Milan), Bixente Lizarazu (Bayern Munich), Sami Hyypia (Liverpool), Patrik Andersson (Barcelona), David Beckham (Manchester United), Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid), Patrick Vieira (Arsenal), Kily Gonzalez (Valencia), Thierry Henry (Arsenal), David Trezeguet (Juventus)

Coach: Gerard Houllier (Liverpool)