Spain vs. France: 6 Players to Watch in Euro 2012 Quarterfinal

Spain and France are set to meet in a marquee quarterfinal matchup this weekend at the Euro 2012 quarterfinals.

Kickoff is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. Eastern on Saturday at Donbass Arena in Donetsk, Ukraine.

Here are six players to watch in what should be a classic game. Anyone missing? Let me know in the comments.

Andres Iniesta

Amidst all the superstars in Spain's lineup, Andres Iniesta sometimes doesn't receive the recognition he deserves.

David Silva scored once and supplied three assists in the group stage. Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas scored twice. Xavi is universally recognized as the team's best overall player.

And yet Iniesta was Spain's best player during the group stage.

Named the official UEFA man of the match twice during the group stage, Iniesta was superb throughout, contributing heavily with his trademark passing, movement and creative flair.

Expect more of the same from the 28-year-old against France.

Samir Nasri

Samir Nasri doesn't make many friends with his histrionics on the field and off.

He doesn't have to. His game speaks for itself.

Nasri, a 24-year-old midfielder, provides creativity in the attacking third for France, and with Spain expected to dominate possession as usual, Nasri must perform well whenever he has the ball at his feet.

Against Spain, France might see the ball enough to create only a few chances. Les Bleus cannot afford to have Nasri flutter in and out of the match.

Fernando Torres

Spain manager Vicente del Bosque opted for an experimental formation for the opener against Italy. La Roja started with three players in the front line, but none of them were recognized strikers.

Striker Fernando Torres entered the match as a substitute in the second half and spurned multiple chances.

He then started Spain's next game and scored twice against Ireland. The difference in Spain's approach was noticeable, with Torres serving admirably as the offensive focal point.

Torres again went scoreless against Croatia in the Group D finale.

It's almost certain that Torres will play a significant role against France. Only time will tell which player shows up.

Will it be the lethal striker who tore apart Ireland? Or will we see the confidence-shy guy who has struggled for Chelsea over much of the past 18 months?

Karim Benzema

French striker Karim Benzema has yet to score at Euro 2012. That must change if Les Bleus want to progress.

Only Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more goals for Real Madrid than Benzema over the past two seasons, but with his current form, one would be forgiven for doubting that fact.

Any fan of Real Madrid or La Liga already knows how lethal Benzema can be in the final third.

For France to beat Spain, he'll probably have to prove it once again.

Iker Casillas

In the Group D finale, Iker Casillas produced a stunning, point-blank save on Ivan Rakitic's header to keep Spain on level terms with Croatia.

Spain went on to win the match and the group, but if not for Casillas, they might have been doomed to an early vacation this summer.

Casillas, 31, has won almost everything possible in football, both at the club and international level, and is Spain's all-time leader in caps. He remains a world-class keeper, and that gives Spain an advantage over almost every team they face.

Hugo Lloris

France's Hugo Lloris ranks among an impressive group of younger keepers vying for recognition among the world's best.

Like Spain's Iker Casillas, Lloris serves as captain for his country. But unlike Casillas, Lloris is 25 years old and in the process of building his reputation.

Beating Spain and besting Casillas head-to-head would be quite the feather in Lloris' cap.

Expect Lloris to play as if his life depends on it.

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