Euro 2012 key players: Group B

On Friday 8^th June, Poland and Greece will begin Euro 2012 in Warsaw in front of approximately 50,000 fans. So in honour of the beginning of world football’s most captivating events, I will be going through the key players and possible ‘’it factors’’ for each team, group by group. Here’s group B.

Netherlands: Robin Van Persie

After a truly brilliant 2011/12 season in which he won the premier league’s prestigious golden boot award with 30 goals, Van Persie will begin Euro 2012 as one of Europe’s most feared strikers. The Oranje are considered by many to be one of the best teams in the tournament after getting to the world cup final in 2010, and due to their excellent qualifying campaign, where they picked up 27 points out of a possible 30. With players around him such as Wesley Sneijder, Dirk Kuyt, Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Eljero Elia, Van Persie should get plenty of chances. If he manages to bury a few of them, he could very well lead the Dutch to Euro glory.

Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo

Perhaps more than any other team at Euro 2012, Portugal will be relying on one man’s form if they want to do well: and that man is Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo. The former Manchester United man is unquestionably one of the world’s top players and possesses incredible pace, a ferocious shot, great heading ability and a bag full of tricks to rival any player in a world. Portugal will need Ronaldo to be at his very best if they want to progress through the ‘’group of death’’ in which they are in.

Germany: Bastian Schweinsteiger

Germany’s final appearance at Euro 2008 was largely due to the excellent performances by combative central midfielder, Bastian Schweinsteiger. However, the emergence of young, determined players such as Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller means the 27 year old will be one of Germany’s more experienced players at Euro 2012. If Germany are to go far and possibly win Euro 2012, it will likely be down to the determination and exceptional leadership of the Bayern Munich man.

Denmark: Christian Eriksen

For the last two seasons, the 20 year old Ajax man has developed into one of Europe’s most exciting young talents. In fact, such is the hype surrounding the youngster; some have even gone on record as saying he is Denmark’s best young talents since the Laudrup brothers; Michael and Brian. Having played in every single one of Denmark’s qualifying games, Danish coach Morten Olsen clearly doesn’t view the attacking midfielder as being too inexperienced. If Eriksen’s creativity and skill helps Denmark advance through their incredibly difficult group, it could lead to the 20 year old moving to another top European side.