Several moderators disagreed with you back then and you better accept that, cutting the nationalist stuff, since I'd seriously doubt anyone wishes such a discussion to ruin this wonderful thread.
on Topic:
Yes, my personal favourite are the Lombards, even though Koultouras does not like them too much
Kiev will also be nice, probably the coolest infantry ever.
Franks won't be that great, but that's what the HRE is for ...which unfortunatly will take some time still.