Euro 2012: Andriy Shevchenko, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mario Balotelli, Arjen Robben And Others

The first round of matches at the Euro 2012 was a low scoring affair as we saw some cageyAi??encounters being played in all the groups. Unexpectedly, the highest scoring games were the onesAi??involving unfancied teams Russia and Croatia.

However, there were plenty of eye-catching displays from talented footballers all across theAi??continent as some established superstars failed to live up to expectations. We now take a look at theAi??players who shone for their national colours and the others who flattered to deceive.

The Studs

Mario Mandzukic

Croatian Coach Slaven Bilicai??i??s decision to play Mario Mandzukic upfront along with Nikica JelavicAi??yielded rich dividends as the 26 year old scored within the first two minutes with a nicely directedAi??header. Mandzukic was a real goal threat throughout the game and pressed the Irish defendersAi??who as a result could not play the ball out from the back comfortably. Playing just off Jelavic, theAi??Wolfsburg striker scored from another clinical header after half time to give his side a comfortableAi??victory over the fighting Irish team. Croatia, now sit at top of the Group C; and with their forward in such fineAi??form, they look like a formidable opponent for both Italy and Spain.

Dimitris Salpingidis

The diminutive Greek forward came off the substitutesai??i?? bench to change the fortunes of the GreeksAi??and turn the match on its head after Poland had taken a 1-0 lead and had a one man advantage.Ai??Making the most of his pace, the 5 ft 7 inch striker repeatedly made a mockery of Polandai??i??s offsideAi??trap. After scoring one past Szczesny, the striker intelligently utilised the gaps left between Polandai??i??sAi??centerAi??backs and got the goalkeeper sent off to nullify the one man advantage for the Poles. GreeceAi??ended the game the stronger of the two sides and look well placed for qualification for the knockoutAi??stages.

Andriy Shevchenko

The 35 year old former AC Milan star rolled back the years as he put on a show in front of hisAi??home crowd to give Ukraine an unlikely win over a strong Sweden side. Paired with Andriy VoroninAi??upfront, the former Ballon dai??i??Or winner led the line beautifully and was a constant threat to theAi??SwedenAi??centerAi??backs. In spite of losing a few yards of pace, Shevchenko proved that he still retainsAi??his goal scoring instinct as he scored two goals in quick succession from two perfectly guided headers justAi??outside the 6 yard box. Ukraine are unlikely Group D toppers now and fans from Ukraine will hopeAi??Shevchenkoai??i??s swansong continues.

shevchenko_ukraine(c)albawaba.com — Cometh the hour, cometh the man!

Daniel Agger

The Danish captain was an inspirational figure at the heart of his countryai??i??s defence as DenmarkAi??pulled off Euro 2012ai??i??s first upset by beating The Netherlands 1-0. The LiverpoolAi??center-back wasAi??excellent throughout the game and expertlyAi??marshaledAi??the organized Denmark’s team against someAi??of the premier attacking talents in the game. Agger had a pass accuracy of 88.6%; won three headers andAi??tackles each out of three and with seven also had the highest number of interceptions in the game. Denmark are now Ai??at theAi??top of the Group B at the end of the first round and with their captain in such fine form they are in poleAi??position to survive the ai???Group of Deathai??i??.

Alan Dzagoev

Dubbed as the ai???Russian Messiai??i??, Alan Dzagoev did his growing reputation no harm as he played theAi??starring role in an excellent Russian performance as they beat a hapless Czech Republic side 4-1.Ai??Playing as a right forward in a 4-3-3, Dzagoev exploited the space afforded to him by the sluggishAi??CzechAi??defenseAi??to devastating effect. The 21 year old CSKA Moscow forward was involved in severalAi??of Russiaai??i??s attacking moves and intelligently linked up with both the midfield and the strikers respectively. DzagoevAi??was able to drift in from wider positions and unleash unstoppable shots past a bemused Petr Cech.Ai??His two goals in two halves have put Russia in a commanding position at the top of the Group A.

The Duds

Cristiano Ronaldo

Much was expected from Cristiano Ronaldo in the build-up to Portugalai??i??s game against Germany.Ai??Unfortunately Real Madridai??i??s ace forward cut a forlorn figure as he was left isolated inAi??attack for long periods of the game as Portugal looked to stifle the German machine.Ai??Ronaldo saw very little of the ball and when he did, could not manufacture any real goal scoringAi??opportunities for hisAi??PortugueseAi??side. Ronaldoai??i??s understanding with Postiga left a lot to be desired asAi??the pair exchanged several misplaced passes.Ai??Portugal will hope for an upswing in Ronaldoai??i??s form in the next game to reverse their dwindlingAi??fortunes.

Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli started the game quite well and with Cassano up front as his strike partner, theAi??duo looked to create some problems for the SpanishAi??defense. However, as the game progressedAi??Balotelliai??i??s volatile nature seemed to come to the fore as he made several unnecessary fouls whichAi??resulted in a yellow card. Balotelli was also wasteful in front of goal, spurning one seemingly gloriousAi??opportunity when he was one on one with Casillas among others. Prandelli had seen enough and theAi??Manchester City forward was substituted in less than an hour for the more experienced Di Natale soon after.

Arjen Robben

Arjen Robben will look at Euro 2012 as an opportunity to exorcize the demons of the ChampionsAi??League final loss to Chelsea in May. However, the nightmare just seemed to continue for the trickyAi??winger as Netherlands slumped to a shock defeat against Denmark. Robben was one of the mainAi??culprits in the Oranjeai??i??s poor show with his selfish play and wayward shooting. Netherlands had twenty eightAi??shots on goal with a majority of them taken by Robben. The closest he came to scoring was when heAi??hit the post after cutting in from the right wing.Ai??Robbenai??i??s dazzling left foot must find its mark soon if Netherlands hope to lift the trophy on the 1 st July.

(c)myopera(dot)com_Robben.jpg — Will He Finally Arrive?

Tomas Rosicky

The Czech Republic captain had much riding on his fragile shoulders as he looked to beat a rampantAi??Russian side. Rosicky however was reduced to the role of a mere spectator as the Russian trioAi??of Shirokov, Denisov and Zyryanov ran rings around the Czech midfield. Rosicky had a poor passAi??completion rate in the match and repeatedly gave away the ball in dangerous areas. Unable to findAi??an answer to the Russians, Rosicky was forced deeper into his own half as the game progressedAi??and was rendered completely ineffective. Czech Republic fans will be hoping for a much improvedAi??showing when they take on the Greeks next.

Robin van Persie

Arsenalai??i??s star player has made a reputation for himself as one of the most clinical strikers in Europe.Ai??However, after topping the goal-scoring charts in the recently concluded Premier League the Dutch forwardAi??seems to have lost his shooting boots.Ai??FavoredAi??over Huntelaar – another deadly finisher in Europe, van Persie wasted a host of good goal scoring opportunities which ultimately led to his side’s downfall; a slip while taking a shot against a beaten Andersen being the most notable miss. He willAi??have to regain his touch against the Germans if Netherlands are toAi??harborAi??hopes of making its pastAi??the Group of Death.

—

Written by guest authorAi??Sreyon Chatterjee

Tags: Euro 2012

Euro 2012: Andriy Shevchenko, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mario Balotelli, Arjen Robben And Others – The Studs And The Duds So Far

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