Wave your flag!

Two female hockey players have made history in their respective countries by being named the flag bearers for the Opening Ceremony of the London Games. And while the pair live on other sides of the world, the well-deserving duo have much in common.

Luciana Aymar and Natascha Keller have been the face and heart of their national teams for more than a decade.

34 year-old German Keller had big shoes to fill, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, father and brother who each won an Olympic medal. Keller fulfilled her family duties in 2004, winning the gold medal in Athens. Since then she has been a mainstay for Germany, appearing in more than 400 international games in her career.

Aymar, also 34 years-old, is the Lioness of Las Leonas. She is a huge star back home in her native Argentina, so much so that she even beat out Lionel Messi for Athlete of Year honors in her home country a few years ago. Unlike Keller, Aymar has some unfinished Olympic business. A gold from the Games is the only thing missing in the seven-time Player of the Year’s impressive collection.

But regardless of the outcome for both players, they have done hockey proud, not only be being named a flag bearer for their nations, but by being a fantastic ambassador for the sport for the last several years.

Congratulations to Luciana and Natascha!