Euro 2012 Scores: Stars Who Came Up Big When Their Teams Needed Them

The international game can be wildly different from club football, but some of the world’s biggest stars have made the transition with ease.

With just a short time to prepare for the European Championships, players like Cristiano Ronaldo have seen a drastic drop in form when switching from club to country.

But for others, the Euro 2012 stage has been their chance to shine even brighter.

Here are three stars that have had fantastic tournaments thus far. 

Mario Gomez, Striker, Germany

The big German striker put in 26 goals in 33 Bundesliga matches for Bayern Munich, and he has continued his goal-scoring tear. 

Mario Gomez has scored all three of Germany’s goals in the tournament up to this point.

He headed home a winner against Portugal and then went for a double to defeat the Dutch.

His first goal against the Netherlands was his masterpiece. He received a pass from Bastian Schweinsteiger and spun through Holland’s defense, then powerfully placed a shot into the left corner of the net.

Gomez has left no doubt that he can be counted on to produce goals for his country during their quest for the title. 

Andriy Shevchenko, Striker, Ukraine 

It is impossible to understate how incredible Andriy Shevchenko’s opening match performance truly was. 

Shevchenko started his career in Ukraine with Dynamo Kiev, then emerged as one of the best forwards in the world at AC Milan. In 2006, the striker was bought by Chelsea but failed to find any success in England. 

After a brief stint on loan back in Milan, he returned home to Kiev in 2009. He is now 35 and playing in his last international tournament. 

Shevchenko exclaimed, “[for] the last five years I have hardly thought about anything other than the European Championship that will come to my country,” via Tom Adams of Yahoo Sports.

His two-goal performance to beat Sweden in the opening match was an inspiring performance that may not be topped by any individual for the rest of the tournament. 

Jakub Blaszczykowski, Winger, Poland 

The Borussia Dortmund star had six goals and nine assists in 29 Bundesliga appearances this past year and has donned the captain’s band for Poland in the European Championships.

He assisted Poland’s lone goal against Greece with an inch-perfect cross to club teammate Robert Lewandowski. 

In the team’s next match, Blaszczykowski delivered the goal of the tournament so far. He made a run down the wing, took one decisive touch inside and then unleashed a lethal left-footed shot that curled past the goalkeeper into the net.

Without his attacking talents, Poland would find it nearly impossible to create goals.

His two brilliant performances have put his country in control of their own destiny. If he can orchestrate a win against the Czech Republic, at least one host nation will be through to the quarterfinals.