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We’re almost there. Euro 2012 has a lot in store for us: transition of young players to superstars, big clubs, big money. The Euros are one of the most eagerly anticipated tournaments and the likes of Spain, Germany, France and Netherlands have been slapped as favorites! While Croatia, Russia, Greece and Czech Republic are being considered the dark horses of the tournament, you never know what they might come up with. England, Italy and Portugal have been touted as the under-achievers with immense potential, whereas the minnows consist of teams like Ireland, Sweden, Denmark (Clearly because of their Group) plus co-hosts Poland and Ukraine.
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Even though there are good teams and bad teams, bad teams do have an occasional superstar in their team. A classic example is Ibrahimovic of Sweden, who can change the game on its head like Ukraine’s Shevchenko. These are game-changers, who can change the game entirely to their favour, who can make things happen. And every team, whether good or bad, has a game-changer in their squad. Good teams may have 4 to 5 in their squad. Lets see our Game-changers in Euro 2012.
The Hosts are definitely the minnows of the tournament. From 1960 to 2004, they didn’t even qualify for the Euros, and after a colossal 44 years, they qualified for the last edition of the tournament, Euro 2008, where they were knocked out of the group stages, losing 2 and drawing 1. Such dismal performances have kept them out of major tournaments. Surprised ? How did they qualify for Euro 2012? Well, they are the hosts and therefore they have the privilege of automatic qualification. But over the years Polish players have risen in different leagues of the world. Arsenal shot-stopper Wociech Szczesny is a prime example, fellow goal-keepers Fabianski and Kuszack also play in top English clubs. Ludovic Obraniak is a pacey mid-fielder being tracked by big clubs. Therefore this team is still developing, and needs a good team effort to win any major tournament. But the Game-changer in this Polish side is the Bundesliga player of the season, Borussia Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski. He has led Dortmund to two consecutive league titles. Deadly finishing and superb pace makes Lewandowski the Game-changer of Poland.
Winners of Euro 2004 where they were considered the dark-horses of the tournament, fans still gasp at their achievement where they defeated a rampaging Portugal in the finals. But Greece are no more the dark-horses of the tournament. Though there are many players playing Euro 2012 who played the tournament in 2004, this is where they are getting off beam. One of the oldest sides in the Euros, they had to instill young blood in their team to challenge. Surprisingly their Game-changer is their 35 year-old skipper Giorgos Karagounis. Physically not really imposing as he is of small stature, but at 5ft 9in he is of the best set-piece takers in the world. Noticeably, his ability is fading away due to his age, but he still can offer Greece the quality they need. This Greek veteran is certainly the Game-changer in this squad, with his deadly corner-kicks.
Russia won the very first edition of the Euros way back in 1960 as the Soviet Union but they haven’t won since. In Euro 2008, Russia, always the dark-horses, stunned Europe by entering the semi-finals at the expense of the Dutch. Russia’s attack and defense departments always have a player to take notice of. Enigmatic wing-back Yuri Zhirkov, defender Sergei Ignashevich, former Spurs striker Roman Pavlyuchenko and the recently risen Fulham hit-man Pavel Pogrebanyak are some of the players who can play a crucial role. However there is one man, who is their Game-changer: Arsenal forward and Russian skipper Andre Arshavin. The captain was instrumental in knocking out the Netherlands last time. Opponents will have to watch out for Arshavin’s goal-scoring capability. A brilliant creator, he is definitely carrying the burden of Russian hopes in a Group they must qualify from.
Czech Republic have great players in their squad. Skipper Rosicky and Baros are two veterans which Czech Republic will field in the Euros. But their actual Game-changer is their goalkeeper Petr Cech. Cech has been one of the best goalkeepers around for quite some time. Recently tasting success with his club Chelsea will give him a major boost heading into the Euros. He produced two of his finest performances for Chelsea which saw them lift the Champions League, one of which was an absolutely stunning performance against Barcelona, who laid siege to his goal with a barrage of shots and volleys, but he kept his cool pulled off some athletic saves. And the Finals, where Cech won it for The Blues in the shoot-out. A Game-changer who is a goal-keeper is very rare, but don’t forget he has been awarded the Best European Goalkeeper for 2 consecutive years. The man from the Czech Republic is to be feared.
