Euro 2012 Preview: Christian Eriksen and 5 Youngsters Set to Shine at Tournament

Many of world football's most talented and highly-touted young starlets will have the chance to shine at Euro 2012. Players like Danish prodigy Christian Eriksen and Russian maestro Alan Dzagoev will be hoping to showcase their respective talents on the big stage.

Eriksen is a player most fans, pundits and scouts will be eager to assess. The Ajax youth is commonly regarded as one of the brightest youngsters in the game.

Joining Eriksen and Dzagoev will be a clutch of other talented youths who can use Euro 2012 to announce themselves as marquee players.

Here are the top five youngsters who are set to shine at Euro 2012.

Ivan Perisic, AM, Croatia

Arsenal fans will be familiar with Ivan Perisic, thanks to his late wonder volley that rescued a point for Borussia Dortmund against the Gunners in the UEFA Champions League group stage. Perisic could well be primed to emerge as a key man for Croatia in Group C.

Nominally a wide midfielder, Perisic is not a true winger and utilises excellent off-the-ball movement. He drifts in from wide areas with well-timed runs and is a regular threat to score.

A recent arrival to the international scene, Perisic could be a useful foil for Croatia's intricate and creative passing style.

Alan Dzagoev, AM, Russia

Alan Dzagoev should be given the chance to influence Russia's attacking play. An active and creative central schemer, Dzagoev is a quick and intelligent passer who always wants the ball.

The CSKA Moscow starlet led his nation in scoring in qualifiers and his technique, movement and eye for goal make him a deadly link player between the midfield and forward lines. The Russian team is full of experience, but manager Dick Advocaat should infuse the youthful exuberance of Dzagoev into the mix.

Wojciech Szczesny, GK, Poland

Twenty-two-year-old Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is one of the finest young shot stoppers in the game. However, the cocky youngster still has to prove he can put it all together and avoid the lapses in concentration that have plagued his otherwise stellar development.

Szczesny has the chance to show he is ready to shed the label of potential and join the ranks of the elite goalkeepers in world football. His form will be crucial to the chances of co-hosts Poland.

Szczesny is near flawless in one-on-one situations but has suffered from appearing too casual at times. He has the ability of a top-notch stopper, and dominating international competition is the next crucial step in Szczesny's progress.

Christian Eriksen, AM, Denmark

Christian Eriksen is Denmark's brightest young talent and is his nation's best hope of escaping the torturous Group B, also containing Germany, Holland and Portugal. Eriksen has the technical acumen and creative temperament of a natural playmaker.

He will be Denmark's chief provider and will have to fashion scoring chances for the likes of Nicklas Bendtner and Dennis Rommedahl. Like Dzagoev, Eriksen is at his most effective when operating in tying together midfield and attack.

He must take the chance to prove his craft and guile on the big stage against elite competition. If he does, then expect big clubs to be circling the Ajax starlet throughout the summer.

Vaclav Pilar, LW, Czech Republic

Vaclav Pilar is an exciting young talent who could propel the Czech Republic to more than one upset at Euro 2012. A pacey left-sided attacker, Pilar showcased his ability in this season's UEFA Champions League when he tormented the mighty Barcelona at the Camp Nou.

Possessing close control, tricky skills and a powerful shot with either foot, Pilar should link well with Tomas Rosicky and provide some genuine impetus for the Czech Republic attack. If he can get on the ball early and often, Pilar has the deceptive strength and quickness to cause opponents a litany of problems.

Toni Kroos, CM, Germany

Toni Kroos emerged as an integral part of Bayern Munich's march to this season's UEFA Champions League final. He should be given a chance to impress for a German team that has brought through many precocious youngsters in recent years.

An energetic and resourceful central midfielder, Kroos is always on the move and eager to take possession and link his team's passing together. He was outstanding in both legs of the semifinal against Real Madrid, when he was active at both ends of the pitch and carried the fight to the Spanish giants.

In the final against Chelsea, Kroos suffered from being placed in a deeper role and was removed from much of the action. He needs to be able to influence the game in advanced areas to be at his best.

The Germans have a wealth of talent in these positions, but combining the work rate and composure of Kroos with the strolling class of Mesut Ozil could be a dream combination.