Everton FC: 5 Toffees to Watch at Euro 2012

Are you an Everton supporter in need of a rooting interest at Euro 2012? Can you not bring yourself to root for an English side full of Reds? Are you an American neutral eager to cheer on countries that feature your Toffee heroes? 

Well, look no farther. Everton might not be half their squad to Poland and the Ukraine like their Anfield neighbors, but they will be represented at the European Championship. In fact, certain countries may live or die depending on Toffee contributions.

Everton sports a player in Groups B, C and D, but lacks a representative in Group A. While the last three groups will have self-evident choices, Group A is difficult if you intend to root based on club loyalty. Here’s my thought process: 

• Poland: No. The hosts are a sentimental choice, but they’ll start Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczęsny. Can’t root for a Gunner, can we?
• Czech Republic: No. A scrappy team that qualified via playoff, but the Czechs will start Petr Cech (Chelsea) in goal and Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal) in midfield. 
• Russia: No. The Russians would be my second choice, but they will employ Roman Pavlyuchenko and Andrei Arshavin, two attackers formerly of Tottenham and Arsenal. That they showed poor form in England before retreating back to Russian clubs is satisfying, but I still can't bring myself to cheer them on. Premiership wounds run deep. 

So by process of elimination, we are left with Greece, a team Evertonians will certainly be able to relate to. They wear blue kits, and represent a organization (the country of Greece) in deep financial trouble. Thin though it may be, a connection is there. Πάμε Ελλάδα! 

That being settled, here are five Toffees and their respective nations to watch at Euro 2012.

Group B: Johnny Heitinga—Holland

Projected to start along the backline, roving Dutchman Johnny Heitinga will employ his patented ferocity for Holland once again.

Named Everton’s Most Outstanding Player of the Year, the 28-year old will don the Orange for his fifth major international tournament, dating back to his entrance as a substitute in Euro 2004.

Everton’s Mad Dog will be counted on to plug up the center of defense alongside an aging Joris Mathijsen. Not one to shy away from a hard tackle, expect Heitinga to give no quarter to oncoming attackers. Defensive midfielder Mark van Bommel, a noted practitioner of the dark arts, should enforce that kind of bruising mentality.

As title contenders go, the Netherlands are a good bet, with only Spain and group-mates Germany realistically ahead of them. If you’re an Everton supporter, the Oranje could be your ticket. 

Group C: Nikica Jelavic—Croatia

The dark horses of Group C, Croatia’s fate in Euro 2012 may rest on the goal-scorer shoulder of Everton striker Nikica Jelavic.

Evertonians should well remember Jelavic, the January signing which almost single-handedly revitalized the Toffee attack. After they signed the Croat from Glasgow Rangers, Everton did not lose a single league game in which Jelavic started.

Jelavic was prolific for Everton in league play, scoring nine goals in 10 starts and steering the Toffees to a seventh-place finish.

The 26-year-old will need to bring that kind of form if Croatia hope to advance out of a difficult Group C. Ireland, Italy and defending champions Spain all believe they have the talent to make the quarterfinals, and look to prove it on the pitch.

Croatia boasts a stacked midfield (Luka Modric, Darijo Srna, Niko Kranjcar) and the painful memories of a stunning Euro 2008 exit to fuel them onward. Look for Everton’s Jelavic to play a major role in front of goal. 

Group C: Darron Gibson—Ireland

If Croatia doesn’t tickle your fancy in Group C, there’s always Darron Gibson’s Republic of Ireland to support.

Another January acquisition by Everton, Gibson was brought in by David Moyes to fill the gap in defensive midfield left by the injured Jack Rodwell. The Manchester United castoff played the part brilliantly, even bagging the winning goal in a home game against Manchester City. 

The 24-year-old will fill a similar role for Ireland, a team that will need a Herculean effort from all those involved to make it out of group play. Gibson will need to loom large against attacks that include the deadly precision of Spain, the counters of Italy, and the creativity of Croatia.

Ireland barely made it into the European Championships, qualifying by virtue of a two-legged playoff win over Estonia.   

Gibson was in good form for Everton, which is probably why he was selected for the final 23-man roster. Hopefully Giovanni Trapattoni understands what he has in Gibson, and gives him some playing time. 

Group D: Leighton Baines—England

If you can’t stomach the sight of a Liverpool-dominated English side, perhaps the prospect of seeing Leighton Baines come off the bench will ease the pain.

Everton’s reliable left-back put in solid shifts in friendlies against the Netherlands and Norway, but will likely sit in favor of Chelsea starlet Ashley Cole. It’s disappointing, but Roy Hodgson has decided with experience, as Cole’s 94 appearances for England dwarf Baines’ eight.

Still, Baines will probably make it off the bench if Cole under-performs, which isn’t too likely. The 27-year-old has pace, good vision and skill at set pieces, which could prove invaluable given the right situation. 

Baines at the Euros is a bit of a double-edged sword for Evertonians this year. Fans of the club would love to see him play, but the more exposure Baines gets on the international stage, the increased likelihood that big teams will go in for him over the summer. 

However, Baines isn’t the only Toffee on England’s roster…

Group D: Phil Jagielka—England

Originally listed as an alternate for Euro 2012, Everton defender Phil Jagielka was called up to the side when Gareth Barry went down with an abdominal injury.

Now with Gary Cahill and Frank Lampard out of the team due to injury, Jagielka has a better shot at seeing the pitch than he did originally, but it’s a still a long shot. 

The 29-year-old is fairly inexperienced at the international level, having appeared only 12 times for his country since being called up in 2008.

Jagielka plays primarily at center-back, a position Roy Hodgson is spoiled for choice at. John Terry and Joleon Lescott look to start, while Martin Kelly waits in the wings. Jags does have a solid partnership with Lescott which proved key in England’s 1-0 friendly win over Spain at Wembley, something that Hodgson should keep in mind if Terry isn’t getting it done (unlikely).

Due to England’s depth at center-back, Jagielka has less of a chance at seeing the pitch than his club teammate Leighton Baines, but there’s always a chance.