Liverpool duo Steven Gerrard and Luis Garcia have been named in the uefa.com Team of the Year 2005 alongside Chelsea's John Terry and Petr Cech.
Following a poll of users on the European governing body's website, www.uefa.com, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was selected as coach for the third year, with more than 1.5million votes registered.
Arsenal captain Thierry Henry has finally been omitted after featuring in the fantasy XI every year since its inception in 2001. The France striker missed out by less than 0.4%.
Gerrard and Luis Garcia were among five newcomers to the side and the Reds captain narrowly beat England colleague Frank Lampard to a place in the midfield.
FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho and Barcelona team-mates Samuel Eto'o and captain Carles Puyol all made the XI, as did AC Milan's Andriy Shevchenko, Paolo Maldini and Cafu.
Juventus' Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved was placed in the left-midfield berth for the third year in succession after helping them lift the Scudetto last season.
The poll demonstrates the strength of Europe's 'big three' leagues with all 11 players and one coach working in either the Barclays Premiership, Serie A or Primera Liga.
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