Ambassadors of the game

In the space of a few short years, 15 Egyptian players have climbed the ranks of European football and earned themselves spots in the limelight. By the year 2010, what has been said to be a current budding soccer phenomena, will become without doubt the norm.

In the nine countries in which they currently reside, the Egyptian youngsters are making names for themselves -- not just with their top-notch football, but with their charisma, charm, the friendliness characteristic of their national culture, and the enigmatic qualities of their Arab and African personas.

InFrance, Ahmed Hossam -- "Mido" -- plays as a striker in Olympique de Marseille, and Mazhar Abdel-Rahman holds the same position in Monaco. Undoubtedly Egypt's most high-profile player, Mido has been said by the press to have what it takes: the skills, spirit and flair. At 20, he is already an idol in Egypt, establishing for himself the foundation of a career.

Mido took the awards of best CAF Young Player of 2002 and third CAF Best Footballer of 2002, Best Egyptian Player Abroad by Egyptian Football Association for 2002 and 2003, and the best rising Egyptian Footballer 2001.

Mido has 30 International Caps where he scored 15 goals. He participated in African Nations Cup 2002, playing four games, and scoring one goal.

At 17, Mido finished his first season in Europe scoring 11 goals in 21 matches with Ghent and becoming a Belgian favourite. He also scored 38 goals in 70 matches with Ajax when they won the Dutch league and Cup championship. Despite his short pro-period in Europe, Mido is the only Egyptian to win a European League Title (Holland 2002) and the only Egyptian to make Domestic Triple in Europe 2002 (Dutch League, Cup & Super Cup).

Only recently did Mido sign with Olympique Marseille (OM) for 12 million euros.

Hani Ramzi is another one of the country's super popular pros. A defender in Germanyfor the past 13 years, Ramzi's European years started at Werder Bremem, after which he went on to FC Kaiserslautern. A man described as enjoying "stability and consistence", Ramzi's 124 Caps makes him one of the Egyptian players nearing the honour of joining the Century Club.

Turkey, perhaps, is a logical place to run if one is looking to pursue football abroad. It is, after all, similar to Egypt in many ways -- the cultural bond between the two Mediterranean locales reflected in the warmth of the people and convergence of East and West. And it is a football nation on the fast rise to global prowess -- as proven by their medal in the last World Cup.

The Egyptians players are quickly capitalising on this, with six players currently in position there. Since moving to Turkish giants Besiktas, Ahmed Hassan has become a regular name on the scoring sheet, and also a star on Internet soccer sites. Besiktas's so-called "Egyptian prince Hassan" has 96 caps for Egypt and is only four away from completing 100. Turkish fans know Hassan's name by heart, and the media write about him with seeming national admiration.

Other Egyptians in Turkey include Abdel- Zaher El-Saka, who plays as a defender for Gençlerbirligi. Ayman Abdel-Aziz plays as a midfielder for Malatayspor. Ramadan Ragaband Seif Dawoud are both strikers with Ankaragücü, while Amr El-Desouki plays as a defender on the same team.

In other areas of Europe, Hossam Ghaly in Holland is a substitute in the Feyenoord Reserves. In Denmark Mohamed Abdullah --"Zidan" -- plays as a midfielder for Midtjylland. In Belgium Mohamed El-Yamani holds the striker position with Standard Liege. Hani Said started as a defender for Fiorentina in Italy, ending up in Viola. In Portugal, Abdel- Sattar Sabri plays as a midfielder in Estrela de Amadora, and in England Rami Shaaban is a goalkeeper with Arsenal, making him the only goalkeeper abroad.

The list is long and impressive, but Egypt's presence in Europe is a mere reflection of the depth and reach of the ancient country's national sporting heritage, and the fact that Egyptian football -- with its long history -- is in a unique class of its own.