1. Andrei Arshavin (Russia). No player improved their financial outlook more than the Russian playmaker. He sat out the first two games of the tournament due to suspension, but upon his return, he regained his elite form and scored in the final group game.
In the quarter final against the Netherlands, Arshavin solidified his world-class status. He wants to move to Barcelona. Will the Catalan club make a bid?
2. David Villa (Spain). The forward announced Spain’s intentions with a hat-trick against eventual semi finalist Russia and he secured a victory with his stoppage-time score against Sweden. The 26-year-old’s fourth and final goal was good enough to capture the Golden Boot honor.
Only one question remains for the European champion: where will he be playing during the 2008-2009 club campaign?
3. Semih Şentürk (Turkey). The supersub ended with three goals and proved a clutch option in the final minutes of play. All three of his goals were equalisers. Will the 25-year-old remain in Turkey with Fenerbahçe or will one of Europe’s top clubs make a move?
4. Fernando Torres (Spain). El Niño twice found the back of the net at the tournament, but his championship game winner was world class. The goal earned him the Man of the Match honor. Only 24, he will factor into Spain’s plans at both the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
5. Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden). Two goals in the tournament ended his long international scoring drought. Sweden’s golden generation concluded their historic run at Euro 2008. Zlatan must carry on and continue to score if Sweden wants to remain in the top 16 of Europe.
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