20 Players Poised to Star at Euro 2012

Euro 2012 throws in two interesting scenarios: Wayne Rooney will be suspended for the entire group stages (would be hypocritical of the FA to appeal considering they suspended and rejected Manchester United's appeal of the Englishman's two game suspension for swearing). 

Rather than stockpile the list with the entire Spanish squad, I've attempted to be as fair and open-minded as possible to all the other competing nations. 

For players you haven't heard of, just consider the fact that it's a one off tournament, and there is a pattern of good footballers performing like stars. 

Want some examples? Sérgio Conceição during Euro 2000, Theodoros Zagorakis during Euro 2004 and Konstantin Zyryanov during Euro 2008. 

Spain: David Silva

The best playmaker in the Premier League. 

In the coming few years, I see Andrés Iniesta's influence decreasing, and David Silva becoming a bigger star in the Spanish national team. 

Germany: Mats Hummels

It's interesting when you hear or read some casual fans still stereotyping Germany for the pragmatic football of years gone by—they couldn't be more wrong. 

Whilst a plethora of young attacking talents have arisen for Deutschland, Mats Hummels ascension from Bayern Munich reject to one of the best young centre-backs in the world has been swift.

Not only is he competent in defence, it's his ability to charge out of defence and create play a la Der Kaiser (perhaps a more fair comparison would be Gerard Piqué), has seen him earmarked as the next great German defender. 

For me, this season, he's been the second best centre-back, just by a bit, behind Holger Badstuber.

I'd be shocked if going into Euro 2012, the centre-back pairing wasn't Hummels-Badstuber. Per Mertesacker has been on the decline for quite sometime.  

Italy: Antonio Cassano

Cassanata, maybe he doesn't want to be called that, seems to have matured because Antonio Cassano is getting regular gametime under Cesare Prandelli's stewardship.

Cassano has directly and indirectly contributed 50 percent of Italy's goals during the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign. That's incredible. 

Cassano told Rai Sports, 

"

"I've been in the national team for 10 years but I've only got 25 caps."

"

Maybe it's this desire to make up for lost time which has seen Cassano perform so well. 

Mario Balotelli take note. 

England: Joe Hart

I don't see England being quite entertaining during Euro 2012 without Wayne Rooney; I can envision manager Fabio Capello adopting pragmatic tactics. 

So Joe Hart should have a great tournament. 

Let us not forget, he usurped one of the best Premier League goalkeepers of all time in Shay Given, to become Manchester City's No. 1. 

France: Yann M'Vila

Yann M'Vila is an excellent worker, intelligent midfielder, has good vision and is a solid tackler. 

This tournament could signify the arrival of M'Vila on a bigger stage. Of course, this is assuming he is still at Rennes, who are holding out for some outrageous transfer fee. 

Netherlands: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

After three disappointing and failed years at Real Madrid and A.C. Milan, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has re-kindled his scoring form.

45 combined goals for club and country since the move to Schalke. 

Huntelaar led the qualifying stages in scoring, and will look to do the same at Euro 2012. 

Denmark: Christian Eriksen

Christian Eriksen is just 19! 

I guess the more appropriate question is, how much will he be sold for?

In terms of Euro 2012, the Danes will be hoping Eriksen is integral in helping them to shock Europe like they did in 1992.

Germany: Mesut Özil

The main criticism of Mesut Özil is he is lazy or doesn't defend.

As far as I'm concerned, who cares if he doesn't run around like Scott Parker, Özil is one of the most efficient footballers right now. 

He scored and provided a combined 41 goals in 64 games, and during the qualifying campaign for Germany, scored and provided a combined 12 goals in nine games.

In terms of his play, Özil is a genius. 

Russia: Aleksandr Anyukov

Who? 

Look, if Aleksandr Anyukov was five years younger, he'd be earmarked as one of Europe's best right-backs not playing in a top league. Sorta like the situation Gregory van der Wiel finds himself in. 

Anyukov is a tenacious defender. He generally has the winger in his pocket, and whilst the winger has his hands on his hip having been stripped of the ball, Anyukov with his high-octane running is in the opposing half ready to provide an accurate cross.  

Specifically in a game against Republic of Ireland, Anyukov's constant forays forward was a main factor in Russia winning. 

France: Samir Nasri

Samir Nasri made a great decision to move to Manchester City because by scoring and providing assists at will, his performances for the French national team will improve. 

Not to mention, he'll have a winning mentality going into Euro 2012 as I see Manchester City winning the Premier League. 

Sweden: Kim Källström

As good as Zlatan Ibrahimović is, I don't see him producing the goods for Sweden at Euro 2012. 

For some reason, he just doesn't dominate enough when the going gets tough. 

Kim Källström, a fine midfielder, will surprise many if Sweden play well. 

Spain: David Villa

David Villa's 50 goals in 80 games for Spain is quite extraordinary considering he started his career with Sporting Gijón, and didn't make his international debut until he was 23. 

I felt last season he was slightly on the decline, and it showed in his decreased goal scoring for Spain, but he should have good tournament because he generally always shows up on the big stage. 

Greece: Vasilis Torosidis

Vasilis Torosidis is physically gifted, and I feel if Greece are to go another fairy-tale run, Torosidis will be very influential wherever he plays. 

Like Pablo Zabaleta, Torosidis is a utility player. But unlike Zabaleta, the Greek is stronger and quicker. 

Ukraine: Andriy Yarmolenko

It's nice to know that even when Dynamo Kyiv have 15 foreign footballers in their squad, they still can produce homegrown talent like Andriy Yarmolenko.

The tall midfielder has played on both flanks to varying degrees of success. 

Italy: Giorgio Chiellini

Which country had the best defensive record during the Euro 2012 qualifiers? 

Italy.

Reason: Giorgio Chiellini. 

Poland: Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski may not be the top scorer in the Bundesliga (Mario Gómez), or the inform forward in the Bundesliga (Claudio Pizarro), but the Pole has been an important asset to Borussia Dortmund.

If Poland are to perform well, Lewandowski will have to score many goals, something naturalised Pole Emmanuel Olisadebe couldn't do during the 2002 FIFA World Cup. 

England: Phil Jones

Rio Ferdinand has become more prolific at tweeting than accumulating games for Manchester United. Gary Cahill cannot lay claim to a starting position because the defence he leads has been calamitous. 

Phil Jones has been excellent at centre-back, and he can also play at right-back. In fact, he made his debut there against Montenegro.

He did struggle against Simon Vukčević and Stevan Jovetić, but Jones' long-term position is at centre-back. 

Surely England manager Fabio Capello will start Jones with John Terry. 

Germany: Thomas Müller

Thomas Müller is such an intelligent footballer, but he combines that awareness with technique and a determination to affect games. 

He's a Bayern Munich and German legend in the making. 

France: Adil Rami

For me, Adil Rami has been the more resilient centre-back in La Liga so far, which is interesting because Valencia have shipped in a few goals—two against Barcelona in a game Valencia should have won, and three against Racing Santander where both sides forgot about defending. 

Rami's no-nonsense approach to defending saw him nullify Fernando Torres. To be fair to Torres, Rami adopted every underhand tactic including taking the Spaniard out off the ball behind the referee to dominate the matchup. 

Spain: Xavi

The maestro, the wizard, the technician; Xavi is one of the main reasons why Spain play in such a glorious fashion. 

The legendary 1970 FIFA World Cup winning Brazilian team had Gérson. 

This Spanish team has Xavi. 

Please also read 10 Exceptional Goals You Have to See.