The Euros will be moving into top gear in two days time when the quarter finals kick off. All and all it has been a pretty decent tournament. Though there might not be a lot of goals to show for, till now, the games have been very tactical and most of them have been a strategists delight. I have been among the lucky few who has caught almost all the games live (though the matches air in India after midnight).
Based on the matches so far, i have compiled a list of the top 10 performers at the Euros. i have tried to put in the reasons for their selection too. The following are in no specific order.
Luka Modric - Croatia
An untiring work horse whose low centre of gravity allows him to keep close control of the ball while he makes darting runs from the midfield. Serves as the proverbial provider. Scored the first goal for Croatia in the tournament and was very instrumental in the win against Germany. He will have a big role to play from the Quarter finals. David Villa - Spain
Has played wonderfully so far as a shadow striker. While the opposing defenders are attracted to the main Spanish striker David Villa like bees to honey, Villa has quietly notched up 4 goals. His last gasp strike against Sweden was pure class and will undoubtedly add to his challenge as player of the tournament. Lukas Podolski - Germany
Played in the crucial tie against Austria yesterday with a blister on his foot. Podolski breathtaking left field runs have been one of the features of the tournaments. Scorer of 3 goals so far, Podolski is a match winner and will be a player to watch in the QF tie against Portugal. Wesley Schneider - Holland
The Dutch midfielder was instrumental in the drubbing of both Italy and France. His goals in both matches were sublime. This player has truly arrived on the world stage with his deft touches and unselfish style of play. He fits nicely into the Dutch total football machine that coach Marco Van Basten has expertly created. Nihat Kahveci - Turkey
The Turkish challenge in the Euros was almost over when two deathly strikes from the Villarreal striker revived a lost cause against the Czech Republic. Though partly caused due to the lapse of concentration from Petr The Wall Cech , the Czech goalie credit needs to be given Kahvecis poaching skills. It takes something to be the right place at the right time and Nihat was there twice to take Turkey into the Quarter Finals. Christiano Ronaldo - Portugal
With the aura that this boy carries, it was no surprise that everytime he got the ball there were nearly three defenders on him. In spite of the close marking Ronnie scored once and even set up a couple of goals. The traditional step-overs and back passes were still exhibited. You can only sense that he is going to bring it on in the Quarter final against Germany. Adrian Mutu - Romania
Putting aside the controversial Chelsea fine and the loss of his grandmother Mutu played the game of his life against Italy. After scoring a poachers goal he went through the entire gamut of emotions when he missed a penalty in the dying moments of the game.Mutu will be aching to take his team to the Quarter finals when Romania clash against the high flying Dutch today. Ajjren Robben - Holland
The Real Madrid star missed the first game against Italy but made up with his performance against the French. One of the speediest wingers of our time Robben scored a wonderful goal and also showed he can pass by setting up a couple of goals.Robbens pace is one of the biggest asset in Van Bastens arsenal. And to think he comes in as a substitute, this team is an embarrassment of riches. Zaltan Ibhramovic - Sweden
Whenever I saw this guy in Seria A the only word that came to my mind was lazy. But Ibhramovic has shown a lot in the Euros with his ball control. His style of play is a lot like Berbatov from Spurs or Anelka from France i.e. he looks disinterested most of the times in the game so much so that its easy for the defenders to let down their guard but as soon as the ball reaches his feet his mastery and skill is very evident.
Coaches
As per me, the Euros this year has been a tournament of the coaches. From Scolaris touchline growls to Lows impeccable dressing sense to Van Bastens revolutionary management skills the managers have outshone the players after a long time. Bilic from Croatia looks to be the new Mourinhio and the cameras seem to love him capturing all his reactions in detail. Domenichs haunted expressions in the France - Holland game was a classic piece of TV. I am sure that the coaches will make the rest of the tournaments even more interesting.
