Euro 2012: Top Players to Watch at 14th UEFA European Championship

Clear your schedules and prep your living room accordingly, because Euro 2012 is just around the corner.

Europe's 16 finest teams are ready to fight for one of the most coveted championships in football, with the action kicking off June 8 and continuing until the final match on July 1.

While the whole tournament will be teeming with story lines, there are several players who will be in the spotlight no matter what. Here are the top footballers to keep your eye on throughout the tournament.

Robin van Persie - Forward, Netherlands

The Arsenal striker was the most potent goal scorer in the English Premier League this season, netting 30 goals in 37 appearances.

Van Persie has also been an offensive force for the Dutch national team, finding the goal 28 times in 65 career games with the senior squad.

Unfortunately for the Netherlands, the 2010 World Cup runner-ups find themselves in the Group of Death, along with Germany, Portugal and Denmark. If the Dutch are going to escape the group stages, they will need a brilliant performance up front from Van Persie.

Mesut Ozil - Midfielder, Germany

With his fluid and creative play in the middle, the young Ozil fueled Germany to their third place finish at the 2010 World Cup. If the Germans are going to have similar success at the Euros, they'll need Ozil to be on point.

Of course, I'm not worried about the Real Madrid star stepping up.

Ozil led La Liga with 17 assists in 30 appearances this season, and only Danny of Zenit Petersburg had more key passes during Champions League play.

I'm expecting Ozil to dominate opposing defenses and lead his German squad to the final.

Cristiano Ronaldo - Midfielder/Forward, Portugal

Football's LeBron James, Ronaldo is one of the more polarizing yet undeniably spectacular athletes in the sport.

Although Lionel Messi has surpassed him as the world's best player, Ronaldo is simply magical with the ball at his feet. He's a little more style than substance at times, but there's no arguing with his production this season for Real Madrid.

Ronaldo finished second to Messi with 46 goals in La Liga, and only Messi and Mario Gomez had more goals in Champions League play.

I doubt Portugal can beat Germany, but if Ronaldo plays up to his potential against Denmark and the Netherlands, the Portuguese will escape the Group of Death.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Forward, Sweden

The Milan striker was the best goal scorer and highest rated player in Serie A this season, netting 28 goals in 32 appearances and finishing with a rating of 8.16.

He was also productive in Champions League play, notching five goals and four assists in eight games.

Ibrahimovic will be forced to carry quite the load for Sweden, but with England falling apart before our eyes, the giant striker can certainly lead his team out of Group D.

Xavi - Midfielder, Spain

The Barca midfielder is a genius on the pitch. He sees passing angles that aren't there and finds space that doesn't exist.

Along with Andres Iniesta, he is the conductor of the beautiful orchestra that is Spain's attacking offense. For Barcelona this season, he finished first in passes per game (93.8), second in pass success (92.4), sixth in accurate long balls per game (7.1) and sixth in accurate through balls per game (0.6).

With Xavi dishing out gorgeous and effective passes to his teammates, I'm expecting Spain to win the 2012 European Championship.