Euro 2012: Breakout Candidates for All 16 Teams

Every European tournament seems to produce a magical performance or two from previously unknown players.  Four years ago it was Russians Andrey Arshavin and Roman Pavlyuchenko.  Four years before that it was Czech Milan Baroš and the entire Greek squad emerging as the tournament surprises of Euro 2004.

So who are the likely candidates to leave their mark on Euro 2012?

I have selected one candidate from each squad who may be remembered as the breakout player of this tournament.

Poland

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Player: Ludovic Obraniak

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Age: 27

Club: Bordeaux

Why: A third option. 

In a group they may be decided by goal differential, defenses will focus on shutting down Poland's Borussia Dortmund duo of Jakub Blaszczykowski and Robert Lewandowski.  Playing just behind Lewandowski, the onus will be on the French-born Obraniak to feed the prolific striker but also find opportunities of his own.

Greece

Player: Kostas Fortounis

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Age: 19

Club: Kaiserlautern

Why: Shot in the arm. 

One of seven teenagers in the tournament, he'll likely come off the bench to replace Georgios Samaras on the left flank.  Defensively disciplined, as are all the ethniki, but can bring a much needed offensive spark to a side that rarely pours in the goals.

Russia

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Player: Alan Dzagoev

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Age: 21

Club: CSKA Moscow

Why: Peaking.

An intuitive player buoyed by some impressive club performances in 2011-12 including a goal and three assists in CSKA's Champions League campaign, Dzagoev will play opposite Arshavin, just behind Russia's lone striker, in a creative role for the Group A favorites.   

Czech Republic

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Player: Michal Kadlec

Position: Left-back

Age: 27

Club: Bayer Leverkusen

Why: Attentive.

Since there's no Messi's in Group A of Euro 2012 he can focus on his defensive duties, and attacking up the wings.  The defender infamously fought a teammate over the Argentine's jersey in Leverkusen's drubbing at the hands of mighty Barcelona.

Holland

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Player: Kevin Strootman

Position: Midfielder

Age: 22

Club: PSV Eindhoven

Why: Instinct.

Didn't he out-dribble like 40 guys in that Nike commercial?  Surely he'll find a place in the Dutch side sooner or later.  He might have to be satisfied with subbing in for one of the old guards in Holland's midfield but even that may be enough time for him to emerge as the impact player of the 2012 tournament.

Denmark

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Player: William Kvist

Position: Defensive Midfielder

Age: 27

Club: VfB Stuttgart

Why: Stalwart.

Does what Danes do best. Gives you effort and consistency in the middle of the park.  A strong tackler and ball winner, he'll probably play, and be tested, every minute for Olsen's gang.

Germany

Player: Benedikt Höwedes

Position: Right-back

Age: 24

Club: Schalke 04

Why: The assignment.

If Germany is to win the group of death it will be because they did a relatively good job of containing Cristiano Ronaldo, Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie.  That job largely falls to one of Germany's most promising, but least experienced, defenders.

Portugal

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Player: Miguel Veloso

Position: Defensive Midfielder

Age: 26

Club: Genoa

Why: Presence.

In a team full of offensive stars someone's got to do the dirty work.  The former under-21 captain will be tasked with breaking up the play of some of the talented No. 10s in the group such as Mesut Özil and Wesley Sneijder.

Spain

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Player: Santiago Cazorla

Position: Midfielder

Age: 27

Club: Málaga

Why: Saintly.

How about nine goals and five assists for the surprise outfit in Spain; Cazorla led his Andalusian club to a fourth-place finish.  There'll be no drop off in the national team when he gets in the lineup.  And when Spain is fouled—and they will be fouled—Santi is one of the tournament's best scorers from free kicks.

Italy

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Player: Sebastian Giovinco

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Age: 25

Club: Parma

Why: Prodigy.

He covers a lot of space and can play a number of positions.  The Parma man is on a real good run of form, scoring five and assisting on four occasions in his club's last seven games, all wins. He finished the Serie A season with 15 goals and 13 assists.

Ireland

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Player: James McClean

Position: Midfielder

Age: 23

Club: Sunderland

Why: Supply line. 

Robbie Keane needs someone to feed him crosses in the box.  McClean's profile is growing in the EPL where he started every game in 2012.  Giovanni Trapattoni finally rewarded the wing player with a call-up for his international debut this past February.  If Ireland surprises the big boys in their tough group, McClean would be a key element to their success.  

Croatia

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Player: Ivan PeriŠić

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Age: 23

Club: Borussia Dortmund

Why: Sneaky. 

Even if you didn't know it he was the third leading scorer on the Bundesliga champions, and even if he doesn't crack the Croatian starting XI, he'll come off the bench as one of the better aerial threats at Euro 2012.

Ukraine

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Player: Andriy Yarmolenko

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Age: 22

Club: Dynamo Kiev

Why: Home cooking.

The winger, like the rest of teammates, will be boosted by the home support.  But if the co-hosts are to overcome the talent divide in their group someone besides the 35-year-old Andriy Shevchenko and 33-year-old Anatoliy Tymoshchuk will have to shine.  The winger impressively completed a 12-goal campaign for his club team which plays on the ground that will host Ukraine's opening match.   

Sweden

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Player: Ola Toivonen

Position: Forward

Age: 25

Club: PSV Eindhoven

Why: Versatility.  

He'll benefit from all the attention Zlatan Ibrahimović is sure to garner.  The big forward can create his own opportunities and occupy defenders when playing up high.  He can also service the Swedish front line when he plays out wide in the midfield.  

England

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Player: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Age: 19

Club: Arsenal

Why: Speed.

The youngster has game-changing, albeit raw, abilities.  He's already made quite an impression in some electric appearances with the North London club.  He'll been on the bench to start but Roy Hodgson shouldn't wait too long to release the "Ox." 

France

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Player: Yann M'Vila

Position: Defensive Midfielder

Age: 21

Club: Rennes

Why: Bulldog.

M'Vila's work rate in the midfield is central to France's revival under coach Laurent Blanc.  From the abyss of the 2010 World Cup, the French are a different team entering the Euro group stage and M'Vila will be the emergent star if they progress beyond that.  Les Bleus are hoping he recovers fully from an ankle injury he picked up in France's recent friendly win over Serbia.