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Euro 2012 Group Stage Top 5’s

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

With the group stages of Euro 2012 over and four enticing quarter-finals looming, we take a look at the top five from a plethora of categories to bring back delightful memories, or for those of you who like your beauty sleep; what you might have missed.

Top 5 Goals
1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (vs France)
Breathtaking mid-air volley to put already eliminated Sweden ahead on the night.
2. Mario Balotelli (vs Croatia)
Proved his critics wrong by coming on late and smashing an acrobatic volley from a corner – followed it up with an angry message towards the Italian bench.
3. Danny Welbeck (vs Sweden)
Somehow swivelled and turned the ball into the net for England’s winner.
4. Andrea Pirlo (vs Croatia)
Still the only goal of the tournament direct from a free-kick and a classic one at that.
5. Jakub Błaszczykowski (vs Greece)
Splendid long-range strike to keep Poland in the tournament.

Top 5 Moments
1. Andriy Schevchenko double hands hosts first Euro victory
Having just fallen behind to an Ibrahimovic goal for Sweden at the start of the second half, Ukraine rallied forward and 35-year old talisman Sheva delivered on the big stage once again; his seven minute brace handing Ukraine a first ever win at their first ever Euros.
2. Robert Lewandowski opens the tournament’s account
With a nation’s expectation behind them, Poland started with a buzz in their opening game with Greece and Lewandowski finished off a precise move in style to raise the roof off of the National Stadium.
3. Giorgos Karagounis takes Greece to the last 8
With all odds against them and playing an on-fire Russia, Karagounis expertly tucked away a late first-half chance and then led a combative display in midfield to shut out the more fancied opposition. Passion for the shirt at its best.
4. Theo Walcott introduction spurs England win
Down 1-2 and lacking creativity and a spark, on came Theo to level within three minutes and then set up England’s winner with a marauding run and cross to Welbeck.
5. Mario Mandžukić delivers dramatic equalizer
Outclassed and outplayed in a first half dominated by Italy, the Croats showed a different side in the second period and after relentless pressure and constant attacking Mandzukic ruthlessly punished Italy’s only defensive mistake.

Top 5 Players
1. Andrea Pirlo
Seems to get better with age. He has dictated the midfield with precision passing and has played a hand in all but one of Italy’s goals.
2. Steven Gerrard
Has again stepped up to provide the drive and hunger for England with three dominating midfield performances and three assists.
3. Mats Hummels
Under fire before the tournament as to whether he’s the right man to partner Badstuber at the centre of Germany’s defence, Hummels has outshone his compatriot and delivered three solid performances that have contributed to Germany edging Spain as favourites.
4. Luka Modric
Brilliant on and off-the-ball, the little maestro has dazzled with his vision and accurate delivery. It is a shame his holiday have already started.
5. Mario Gomez
A constant underperformer in the national shirt, Gomez has proved doubters wrong with three brilliant goals to class him as arguably the most prolific striker left in the tournament.

Top 5 games
1. Sweden 2-3 England
A rollercoaster ride of emotion, thrills and comebacks.
2. Denmark 2-3 Portugal
A dramatic late Varela goal ended Denmark’s resistance after Bendtner’s double looked to have completed a miraculous comeback.
3. Poland 1-1 Greece
The opening game of the tournament had it all; goals, red cards, penalty, swings of momentum, atmosphere and a whole lot of drama.
4. Italy 1-1 Croatia
The perfect example of a tale of two halves. Croatia’s desperation for a valuable equaliser had passion written all over it.
5. Ukraine 2-1 Sweden
An enthralling attacking match, Ukraine somehow came back to take the lead, but how Sweden didn’t equalise from a string of chances late on still bedazzles.

Top 5 Surprises
1. Both hosts exit
It was an entertaining but not so memorable on-field performance from Poland and Ukraine, as they both eventually bowed out on the final matchday.
2. Denmark stun Netherlands
Tournament favourites in many’s eyes before kick-off, the Dutch were stunned by a Krohn-Deli goal and a pile of missed opportunities.
3. Greece eliminate Russia
A script hardly anyone predicted before the game, Greece undid a side that had demolished Czech Republic 4-1 in their first game and were darkhorses for the title for many.
4. England top group
With expectations at an all time low back home, Roy Hodgson's compact and direct style proved most successful in Group D.
5. Balotelli avoids red
Come on, after a year of fun in which he nearly turned City red and promised to kill before the tournament had even started – we all expected it.

Top 5 Future Prospects
1. Alan Dzagoev
A class finisher and silky creator in the mould of David Silva and Juan Mata. Premier League beckons.
2. Mathieu Debuchy
Brilliant going forward, but most importantly sufficient in his defensive responsibilities as well; something overlooked by many fullbacks these days.
3. Václav Pilař
Speedy and hungry for opportunities, the newly-signed Wolfsburg midfielder may outgrow the Bundesliga sooner than predicted.
4. Andriy Yarmolenko
The new Schevchenko – although taking a deeper, creative role - he oozes finesse.
5. Miguel Veloso
The rock of a solid Portugese midfield – his precision passing, tackling and free-kicks are too good for Genoa.