Senne Lammens #12

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“Senne started out as a striker,” his dad Eddy told Nieuwsblad: “He shot from every angle and scored with ease.” But his son was even better with the ball in his hands. He focused on that, it quickly paid off – and last summer he became the most expensive goalkeeper sold by a Belgian club when Manchester United paid Antwerp £18m for him. He quickly silenced the pundits and United icons who wrote him off without knowing him – yes, you too, Peter Schmeichel. This is his first World Cup, but he won’t be nervous. Like Edwin van der Sar, he’s known as the “ice rabbit”, and keeps a journal of his thoughts to stay calm. “Before and after the game, I just write key words down and my thoughts a little bit,” he says. “Because, sometimes, if you don't do that, it can be a lot going through your mind. It helps me stay calm and stay in the moment, and not overreact. I write key words, trigger points. [It means] you don't have to think a lot during the games, mentally you are already prepared for the game and what it's going to be like. You’re not going to be so surprised. I think that is important.”

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