Brazil isn't known for its keepers, but the secret is out

	Dida (top) is one of the most successful keepers in Brazilian history, guiding AC Milan to a European Cup and a Serie A title. NewPress/Getty Images

When Europe's top eight clubs do battle this week, their nets will be defended by a Czech (Chelsea's Peter Cech), a Dutchman (Manchester United's Edwin van der Sar), two Spaniards (Valencia's Santiago Cañizares and Liverpool's Pepe Reina), a German (Bayern Munich's Michael Rensing, in place of suspended Oliver Kahn) ... and three Brazilians.

The giant Dida will be keeping goal for AC Milan. Doni is first choice for AS Roma, while Gomes will provide the last line of PSV Eindhoven's defense. There could easily have been five Brazilian keepers in the last eight.

Júlio César's Inter Milan was only eliminated by Valencia on away goals, and were it not for an uncharacteristic blunder by Helton, FC Porto might have made it past Chelsea.

So the secret is out. European clubs have caught on to the fact that Brazilian soccer doesn't only supply top-quality strikers and fullbacks. There are plenty of goalkeepers to be found as well.

Back home, two of Brazil's senior keepers are part of that rare breed who have turned their back on the chance to move abroad. Injury is now threatening the career of Marcos, a World Cup winner in 2002 and a magnificent servant to Palmeiras.

The third-choice keeper in that '02 squad (and the '06 version as well) was the extraordinary Rogério Ceni, one of the world's best free-kick specialists and the keeper with a record number of goals to his credit. After some 15 years at São Paulo, Rogério is possibly the last of the old-style idols of Brazilian soccer, top-class players who spend the bulk of their careers at home with one club.

The younger generation of Brazilian goalkeepers looks similarly promising. Cruzeiro's Fábio, 26, is capable and athletic, and after plenty of national-team call-ups, he's unfortunate not to have made his Brazil debut. Flamengo's Bruno, 22, is a commanding presence. Internacional's Renan, also 22, is still a reserve at his club, but was so outstanding when called upon last year that insiders at Inter are predicting a glorious future.

And then there is 19-year-old Cássio of Grêmio. He was not even originally named in Brazil's squad for the recent South American Under-20 Championships. But after a series of accidents and injuries to other keepers, he won a last-minute call. Thrown into the team, his performances were so exceptional that he found himself on the roster for the recent two friendlies played by the senior Brazilian national team.