Euro 2012 Predictions: 7 Stars Who Will Flop Under High Expectations

Any international tournament is bound to bring with it high expectations, and Euro 2012 is no exception to that.

Fans right around Europe—and indeed, the world—are desperately hoping that this is the year where their national team creates history and can claim to be the best footballing team on the continent.

Yet this year, just like every other time, some teams will disappoint. Some manager will even disappoint.

And some players will simply flop under the high expectations.

This year, just like every other year, some big-name, go-to players will fizzle out during the tournament and spectacularly splutter their way to defeat.

Here are seven stars that will do exactly that in Euro 2012.

1. Mesut Ozil (Germany)

Real Madrid's Mesut Ozil won't have a strong tournament at Euro 2012, but that's not to suggest that Germany won't. In fact, it might even be reason to suggest that they will.

Only one other midfielder or attacker is from a non-German club, with Ozil's teammate Sami Khedira an option to start somewhere throughout the German midfield.

Thus, with the likes of Thomas Mueller, Mario Gomez, Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger all trying to work their German football around the Spanish football that Ozil has been influenced by all season, he may be set up for a poor tournament.

And not poor as in crash out spectacularly; just one too many turnovers and one too many missed breakaways for the 23-year-old throughout Euro 2012.

2. Dirk Kuyt (Netherlands)

Dirk Kuyt's recent transfer to Fenerbahce means that he enters Euro 2012 trying to prove to many of his doubters—including myself—that he still has what it takes to be competitive at the highest level.

However, Kuyt may have a poor showing, starting with his position in the Dutch team. With Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder both likely to start, Kuyt could well end up playing the winger position that he's played at Liverpool throughout the year.

Small problem is that Kuyt isn't a winger; he lacks the speed and dynamics to be an effective winger for the Dutch side—especially considering the other brilliant midfielders he's likely to face in the Group of Death.

3. Christian Eriksen (Denmark)

Do I think Christian Eriksen is one of the best players in Euro 2012? Absolutely.

Do I think he'll have a successful tournament? Absolutely not.

Eriksen will be working with sub-standard strikers in Denmark and will brunt far too much responsibility in attack for the Danes. Couple that with the midfield and defensive units he's likely to come up against in Germany, Netherlands and Portugal, Euro 2012 could be a long tournament for Eriksen.

Even if it does only last three matches for Denmark.

4. James Milner (England)

With England crumbling to injuries and personal issues prior to Euro faster than a Joey Barton send off, certain players are going to be expected to step up for the Three Lions in Euro 2012.

With Wayne Rooney suspended for the first two matches and England lacking in attack, James Milner will need to step up in central midfield for England to progress through the group stages.

Only problem is he won't.

Milner made just 25 appearances for Manchester City across all tournaments last season—largely due to the fact he wasn't good enough to earn a position in the starting lineup. He was mediocre when he turned up and uninspiring when he didn't.

He might believe in the youth of the squad, but that's not going to stop him from flopping spectacularly on Europe's biggest stage.

5. Antonio Di Natale (Italy)

Partnering Mario Balotelli is not an easy thing to do, and Antonio Di Natale will show just how difficult it is during Euro 2012. 

Perhaps more to do with his own mediocre play rather than Balotelli's off-putting influence, Di Natale has struggled to translate his club form into international success throughout his career and will struggle once again this time around.

He might be a two-time Seire A Caponcannoniere winner, but Di Natale isn't going to produce that form at Euro 2012 for the Azzurri—especially not against the tight defenses of Croatia and Spain.

6. Fernando Torres (Spain)

Fernando Torres finally won the silverware he left Anfield for in the recent UEFA Champions League final, but the fact remains that he is nowhere near the dynamic goal-scorer that we came to expect throughout his years at Liverpool.

David Villa's horrific injury means that Torres will shoulder more responsibility in attack for Spain, who are looking to repeat as Euro champions. He will be assisted by arguably the best midfield in the tournament, but it doesn't mean that Torres is suddenly going to turn it all around.

Fernando Llorente can do this at any moment and will be keeping the pressure on Torres for his position in the starting lineup. A couple of mediocre performances against some tough defenses and El Nino might just have a tournament to forget—especially if he loses his starting spot.

7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a larger-than-life sort of player. He is what we writers call 'enigmatic' just because we want to avoid using the him 'crazy' for fear that he'll potentially kill us.

But the fact of the matter is that Ibrahimovic is the key to Sweden's chances at success during Euro 2012 and will crumble under the pressure on him to perform.

France, England and Ukraine aren't the three toughest defensive sides in the competition, but with little assistance going forward, Ibrahimovic will be easily handled by all three sides as the Swedish striker flops magnificently in Euro 2012.

I can only wait to hear how he'll describe his performance.

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