Euro 2008: Ten Players to Watch Out For

Keith Griffin by Senior Analyst Written on May 26, 2008
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So, the leagues are over for another season and with Euro 2008 just around the corner, we will all be predicting who is likely to win the tournament.

Clubs from around the world will be sending scouts to seek new talent, while managers can either bolster their reputation with victory or tarnish it with defeat.

Either way, it promises to be a great tournament with some of the Europe's finest talent on show. Here are some of the players who are sure to impress.

10. Luca Modric—Croatia

The midfielder, who can also double as a second striker, is regarded as one of the finest and promising young talents in the world at the moment.

In 2007 he was voted Player of the Year in the Croatian League for Dynamo Zagreb. Despite this, the playmaker was still relatively unknown until he played against England in a friendly and proceeded to dazzle us with silky passing.

If you still don't know him, you most likely will by the end of the tournament and realise why Spurs fans are so excited over their new signing.

9. Fabio Cannavaro—Italy

The 34 year-old World Cup-winner is still seen as one of the finest defenders in the game.

He proved this in the 2006 World Cup when he was probably the best player of the whole tournament.

Cannavaro, who stands only 5'9" tall, was named FIFA World Player of the Year thanks to his performances for Juventus and Italy that year. The feisty Italian played every minute of the World Cup and, as a result of his displays, the team only conceded two goals during the whole competition.

He also showed great experience and discipline, not once receiving a yellow or red card. Now with partner Alessandro Nesta retired, will Cannavaro be able to continue the form that earned him a move to Real Madrid and lead Italy to glory?

8. Luca Toni—Italy

The 31 year-old Italian seems to be in the form of his life, both for club and country.

First, he fired Bayern Munich to a league and cup double, scoring 24 goals in 31 appearances to finish as the league's top scorer and another 10 goals in nine appearances in the cup.

Although not prolific in the 2006 World Cup, he has hit a rich vein of goal scoring form in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, most memorably scoring both goals against Scotland in a 2-0 win in addition to scoring in the first minute of the second game at Hampden Park.

He will look to continue that form for the rest of the competition and fire Italy to glory.

7. Cesc Fabregas—Spain

The silky Spaniard received all the plaudits at the beginning of the season, cutting through defences effortlessly with smooth and effective passing.

As the key provider for frontman Emmanuel Adebayor, the Togolese striker proceeded to bang in goals from left, right, and centre for Arsenal.

Fabregas also added something new to his repertoire, scoring fantastic match-winning goals. 

Although he went off the boil after Christmas, Luis Aragones will no doubt know how important Fabregas can be to the national side. At only 20 years of age, this wont be Fabregas' last tournament, but this is his chance to step up and put in some performances to cement his place as a world-class midfielder.

6. Karim Benzema—France

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written on May 26, 2008 Opinion

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