Germany 
Germany's third-top goalscorer in qualifying behind Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose, Hitzlsperger has begun to live up to his old Aston Villa nickname - 'The Hammer' - at international level.
His goals in the 13-0 mauling of San Marino were his first for Germany and he went on to also score in the 2-1 victory over Slovakia and the 4-0 defeat of Cyprus despite being used primarily off the substitutes' bench.
Signed from Bayern Munich's youth ranks by then-Villa boss John Gregory as an 18-year-old in 2000, Hitzlsperger only really flourished at Villa Park once Graham Taylor was reinstalled in the hot-seat in early 2002.
The energetic midfielder with a powerful shot would go on to make over 100 appearances for Villa before joining Stuttgart on a free transfer in the summer of 2005 after losing his grip on a regular first-team role.
That would prove to be his breakthrough year at international level as he made five starts including three in the Confederations Cup in June.
And the 26-year-old followed that up with success domestically as he helped Stuttgart win the Bundesliga last year.
