MR SMITH

European Rank:

10th

Domestic Rating:

9.4

Potential Impact:

Qualification Chances:

Having battled in 2007 and 2009, Mr Smith is the best ranked Englishman to have competed in Europe. Supreme on the Sonic series, Mr Smith is famed for his crushing away victory of Richard Neumann in the Mystic Cave Zone - a victory so comprehensive, Mr Smith relaxed with a coffee and ham croissant while giving his opponent advice. Highly skilled across an array of Mega Drive titles, Mr Smith would regenerate Team England. Unfortunately Mr Smith has retired from domestic Mega Drive and will only return to pick up his controller if the alternative is the collapse of Team England. Since the 2011 Championship will be held on English soil, it is highly unlikely England will be unable to field a team.

LORD DILKS

European Rank:

14th

Domestic Rating:

9.2

Potential Impact:

Qualification Chances:

Lord Dilks is one of England's finest Mega Drive athletes and has battled in both the 2007 and 2008 European Mega Drive Championships. While his domestic skill is unquestionable, it has not successfully translated onto the European stage and he has lost a number of games that, domestically, he would be expected to dominate. He is just as famed for his crushing defeat, against Germany, on World Cup Italia '90 as he is for his epic victory, over Portugal, on Pete Sampras Tennis. Lord Dilks would undoubtedly be an asset to Team England, however, his domestic retirement means he would only participate if absolutely necessary.

LIEUTENANT GARETH

European Rank:

15th

Domestic Rating:

5.0

Potential Impact:

Qualification Chances:

Lieutenant Gareth performed well at the Anglo-Irish Tournament in 2007, but has since been unable to produce a domestic performance worthy of a qualification berth. The same problem will dog Lieutenant Gareth at the Twenty-Third Championship: With Lieutenant Gareth set to battle in the Second Division, his only chance of qualification comes through the treacherous and turbulent Tournament Knockout. Like in 2007, should he achieve qualification, Lieutenant Gareth would bring an extra dimension to Team England; a dimension, which although not always suited to the English domestic league, would be an asset for the national team. Qualification, however, is his first hurdle.

COMMANDER GRAHAM

European Rank:

18th

Domestic Rating:

6.5

Potential Impact:

Qualification Chances:

Commander Graham is considered the most skilled member within the English domestic league, however, his one foray onto the European stage found he was vulnerable to overseas foes. Winning none of his home games, Commander Graham managed to pull three-points from two games of Mega Bomberman and was ranked the weakest player in 2008. Commander Graham is almost certain to finish within the top-two and secure a place in Team England, but how he adapts to the European competition remains his biggest challenge. With undoubted potential, Commander Graham will have to train hard if he is to establish himself among the European elite, but he is capable of achieving this goal.

DON DEREK

European Rank:

19th

Domestic Rating:

6.8

Potential Impact:

Qualification Chances:

Don Derek is a recent phenomena within the English domestic tournaments, having risen from Division Two to Mega Drive Champion in just two tournaments, Don Derek made up part of the English Team that failed so miserably in Nuremberg in 2010. While Don Derek is much fancied to earn himself qualification through the league, a general good domestic performance will not be enough to exorcise the ghosts of the 2010 European Championship and . Much practice will be required if he is to rise to the challenge of the European Championships.

CAPTAIN MALTBY

European Rank:

21st

Domestic Rating:

4.1

Potential Impact:

Qualification Chances:

Over numerous tournaments Captain Maltby has evolved from a whipping boy to having establishing himself in the upper echelons of Division One. This is mainly down to his longevity within the competitions, which has earned him experience that he used to his advantage over his rivals. This, however, has not translated well onto the European stage: Twice he has represented Team England, twice he has struggled to make any noteworthy impact. Captain Maltby isn't participating in the Twenty-Third Mega Drive Championship and, if here were, would be considered a challenger for Team England - his absence might not be a bad thing, as his incapability to practice makes him a European liability.

DOC SHAKIB

European Rank:

22nd

Domestic Rating:

6.2

Potential Impact:

Qualification Chances:

Doc Shakib has a unique place in Mega Drive Championship history: He has participated in every English domestic tournament, he has also participated in every European event and will be looking to keep this achievement going, however, qualification to the 2011 European Tournament will be his most difficult challenge to date. Previous European Championships have seen him take place in Team England by default - as he is one of the few English members willing to go globetrotting! In spite of his Mega Drive longevity, it could be said Doc Shakib has been 'found out' upon the European stage, with overseas masters scrutinising and counter-attacking his staple victories, which serve him well in the English game.

FIREMAN SAM

European Rank:

23rd

Domestic Rating:

5.8

Potential Impact:

Qualification Chances:

Fireman Sam travelled to Lisbon to battle in the 2009 European Mega Drive Championship and gained the distinction of being the worst ranked player at that competition. His one win on Micro Machines '96 meant he contributed very little to the English national team and he seemed pleased when the event finished. Fireman was something of a wonder domestically; propelled into the top half of Division One in just two tournaments. Fireman Sam's relegation at the Twenty-Second Tournament was something of a shock, however, his inability to attend the Twenty-Third Championship is met with sadness. This absence might not be a bad thing for Team England, as Fireman Sam would need to come a long way to make an impact on the International stage.

THE PLUMB

European Rank:

n/a

Domestic Rating:

3.8

Potential Impact:

Qualification Chances:

The Plumb has never battled upon the European scene and although he has established himself in Division One during recent tournaments, Europe seems a long way off. The Plumb, however, might be a useful instrument to the English national Mega Drive team, if he were to qualify: The sports game wizard would almost certainly score points on his favourite Sensible Soccer and his natural flare on these titles could be a thorn in the side of any overseas opponent. Non-the-less, there is a massive 16-bit battle The Plumb will need to endure before he can pick up a controller in the International Arena and The Plumb must be considered an outsider to achieve qualification.

EARL HOLBROOK

European Rank:

n/a

Domestic Rating:

4.0

Potential Impact:

Qualification Chances:

Earl Holbrook has had the opportunity to be part of Team England in both 2009 and 2010, however, he rejected the chance to travel to either Portugal or Germany. Now, with the European Tournament back on English soil, will Earl Holbrook accept a place on the national team if he finishes in a qualifying berth? Although he has surprised us in the past, the fixtures for the Twenty-Third Championship do not favour Earl Holbrook and, should he qualify, it is difficult to see where his strengths would lie. As a self-confessed button masher, he is unlikely to withstand the competition at the European level and it is a struggle to see what skills Earl Holbrook could bring to the competition that somebody else could not.