Euro 2008 Players
Austria: Andreas Ivanschitz
The 24-year-old Austrian captain became the youngest to hold the skipper's armband for his country when he was 19. His continued leadership is an indication of how influential his role is viewed in the team. The Panathanaikos midfielder has a killer left foot when employed in set-pieces and his free-kicks for the Athens side have led to comparisons with David Beckham, mainly because of his technique but also because of his popularity in the media and with fans. "Ivan" will be the driving force for the co-host nation and could act as the creative catalyst for Austria's campaign.
Croatia: Luka Modric
The Croatian playmaker's dynamic performances for Dinamo Zagreb have recently earned him a move to the English Premiership with Tottenham Hotspurs. How Spurs will utilize his skills is still an unanswered question. For Dinamo, Modric was the classic No. 10, a midfielder who had the formation and tactics of the team built around his range of influence. For Croatia, coach Slaven Bilic has adapted and expanded his role to that of a hugely important support player, feeding the front line and retreating to add extra cover for the back four. However, he should not be dismissed as a mere "water carrier." Modric has pace to burn, two quick and skillful feet, and a strength and determination which may come as a surprise to many who see him as lightweight. When Modric is on song, expect Croatia to be singing in harmony.
Czech Republic: Jaroslav Plasil
The 26-year-old midfielder has a great deal of experience for a player of his age. He featured for his country at both Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup. He was also a member of the AS Monaco team that reached the 2004 Champions League final. After four seasons in France, he moved to Spain in 2007 to play for Osasuna, where he added a goal-scoring edge to his creative canon. Seen by many as the heir apparent to Czech legend Pavel Nedved, Plasil is gradually becoming an attacking midfielder from the same mould: boundless energy, vision, a talent for incisive passing and an ability to hit goals from distance. At his best, Plasil is exceptional with the ball at his feet and has a range of passing to play pinpoint balls from almost anywhere on the field. Euro 2008 provides him with the opportunity to live up to the hype that has been building around him.
France: Franck Ribery
If the marauding displays Ribery gave for his country in its charge to the 2006 World Cup final was his debutante ball, Euro 2008 could be his graduation celebration. It is a rare player who shows so much promise and then goes on to fulfill it, and Ribery has done enough so far to live up to the hype. The scary thing is that the Bayern midfielder still has the potential to be so much more, and this summer he could show that the energy and power he possessed two years ago has now been combined with guile and skill, as many a Bundesliga defense can attest to. Euro 2008 will provide the opportunity to show whether he can deliver on the international stage when it matters.
Germany: Marcell Jansen
The defender's life is hardly a glamorous one. As a left-back, Janssen is unlikely to dominate the cameras which instinctively focus on creative genius or explosive goals but for fans of the art, the young Bayern Munich defender is becoming a model stopper. Classy and unflappable, the 23-year old is likely to nail down his place as Joachim Loew's first choice left-back during these championships. His timing and execution of tackles is uncannily proficient while he can also surprise with a bursting attacking run and even the odd goal. Most eyes will be on the established world stars in the Germany team but for anyone with an appreciation of the finer points of defending should keep a look out for this young man.
Greece: Vassilis Torosidis
Torosidis is one of the hottest young properties in Greek soccer. A versatile right-back for Olympiacos who can also fill in as a defensive midfielder or center-back, he has become a regular starter for the national team under Otto Rehhagel but in the more unfamiliar role as left-back. He has adapted well and is expected to be Greece's first choice in that position at Euro 2008. The 22-year old will be hoping to transfer his impressive form for Olympiacos, with whom he reached the last 16 of the Champions League this season, to the reigning European champions' title defense.
Italy: Luca Toni
Only a fool would dismiss Toni's 24 goal haul in the Bundesliga as a sign of a weak league. The Italian has burst the net all over the continent this season with the goals which brought Bayern Munich to the brink of the UEFA Cup final. Rangy and awkward he may seem for a big man, but his positioning, power and timing make him the hitman to watch at these championships. Considering the midfield maestros lining up behind him, Toni could run riot if the service is of the same quality as his finishing. Maybe worth a bet for the tournament's top scorer?
Netherlands: Ruud van Nistelrooy
The lure of Spain and the legend of Real Madrid has signaled the end of many a productive career, but the giant Dutchman can widely be credited for reversing that trend. Transferring from a hugely successful Manchester United team in which he was a prolific marksman, van Nistelrooy joined Real at the end of the Galacticos era. Shed of their paunchy and ageing megastars, Real were reborn with the Dutchman up front and his goals helped Madrid recapture the title in his first season. His contribution has since helped them retain the title this season. Dangerous on the floor and in the air, van Nistlerooy's physical presence can unsettle the most hard-bitten defender. Given enough service by a Dutch team in the right frame of mind, van Nistelrooy could be devastating at Euro 2008.
Poland: Ebi Smolarek
Most effective as a winger or out-and-out striker, Ebi Smolarek was Poland's --and Group A's - top scorer in Euro 2008 qualifying, with nine goals. The Racing Santander forward honed his skills during five seasons with Feyenoord in Holland before two seasons with Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. A fast, instinctive player, Smolarek will be relied upon to inspire a Poland side which will want to wipe out the memories of its dire and unimaginative 2006 World Cup performance.
Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal can rightly boast to have the world's best player in their squad this summer. After hitting over 40 goals for English and European champions Manchester United, Ronaldo has taken his game to another level once again. Always an explosive talent, the winger has burst into flame over the last two years and shows no sign of burning out. Ronaldo has reached a European Championship final and World Cup semi-final with his country and will be the main attacking threat as Luiz Felip Scolari hopes to lead Portugal to glory this summer. Ronaldo will also be hoping that his hugely successful domestic and European season can end in international glory.
Romania: Ciprian Marica
The Romanian team is built for speed and the ultimate discomfort of opposing defenses. Coach Victor Piturca has set up a formula for fast, aggressive attacking play, with Marica as one of two strikers charged with finishing the flowing moves. The Stuttgart striker has experienced a frustrating season in Germany but his five goals in qualifying for his country not only helped Romania to the finals but showed that he and strike partner Adrian Mutu had an understanding that could give many of their opponents a torrid time.
Russia: Andrei Arshavin
Russia's star striker is suspended for the first two games of the tournament, but this pause may be the only respite opposing defenders will have when they eventually come up against Arshavin at Euro 2008. The Zenit St. Petersburg forward, fresh from a UEFA Cup triumph, will be the roaming threat just behind coach Guus Hiddink's strikeforce. A converted midfielder, the Russia captain now uses the vision he displayed as a playmaker to aid his colleagues and has added an eye for goal to his arsenal. Widely acclaimed as Russia's best and most influential star, his initial loss may prove costly but his eventual arrival may be enough to salvage the campaign should it go astray in his absence.
Spain: Fernando Torres
"El Nino" has been known as "The Kid" for as long as he has been talked about as a potential world class striker. While the nickname remains, the Liverpool striker may now be able to leave the tag behind. After 24 goals in England, making him the most prolific foreigner in a debut season, Torres will arrive in Austria/Switzerland with a suitably enhanced reputation. His former coach at Atletico Madrid, Raddy Antic, said "Torres never scores the same goal twice," and his repertoire over the past season has confirmed this. Goals from range and in the box, with both feet and his head, solo runs and magical opportunism, Torres has it all. Perennial under-achievers Spain will hope The Kid comes of age on the international stage this summer.
Sweden: Markus Rosenberg
Because of his aerial ability and his strength, Markus Rosenberg is considered a dangerous header of the ball, but he is also dangerous when having the ball at his feet. Starting out as an all-out striker in his native Sweden with Halmstads and Malmo, Rosenberg topped the scoring charts for two seasons straight. This earned him a move to Ajax Amsterdam where he initially flourished but was shifted to the left-wing role after a disappointing run up-front. Forced out by the arrival of Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Rosenberg joined Werder Bremen in 2007. In 44 appearances in the 2007/08 season, Rosenberg hit 22 goals in all competitions, making him the club’s top scorer. A senior international player since 2005, Rosenberg's versatility and movement makes him the perfect foil for his more direct striking partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Switzerland: Tranquillo Barnetta
With electric pace and a thunderous shot, the Bayer Leverkusen winger has added a cutting edge to Switzerland's notoriously blunt attacking edge. While weighing in with goals of his own -- usually spectacular ones or those likely to take the goalie's head off -- Barnetta is most devastating as a support attacker. With the ability to get past players at speed and to deliver accurate crosses and incisive passes, his role as provider cannot be understated. Barnetta has the potential to shine if the profligate Swiss forwards can bring their scoring boots and put away the multiple chances he is likely to create for them.
Turkey: Emre Belozoglu
Turkey has a reputation for producing tenacious midfielders with acute attacking instincts, and Emre is one of these. After three seasons in the cynical world of Italian soccer with Inter Milan, Emre honed a terrier-like style of midfield battle, which he then transferred to the English Premiership. His three years at Newcastle United have not been the happiest or most successful, but Emre has continued to turn in influential and robust performances for his country. With their dimunitive general dictating play and harrassing the opposition, Turkey can launch the swift counter-attacks which make them a dangerous prospect at Euro 2008.