Best Newcomers of Euro 2012

This is some of the best newcomers who played at Euro 2012. By newcomers I mean players new to an international competition. They might have played a lot of club football. Some of them might even have played a lot of international football but without getting to play in the finals of a tournament.

This is the newcomers that came in and played and done pretty well for themselves and their country.

Croatia Mario Mandzukic was equal top scorer with 3 goals and had a good tournament as centre forward

CzechRepublic Petr Jiracek and Vaclav Pilar Two players who both stood out and they both scored 2 goals

Denmark Michael Krohn-Dehli Looked a lively attacking player throughout Denmarks 3 games. Scored the only goal of the game against Holland before also scoring against Germany.

England Joe Hart Looked good and commanding playing in his first tournament for England

France Mathieu Debuchy Impressed for France. Good right back who liked to get involved with the play.

Germany Mats Hummels and Marco Reus Hummels was an impressive centre back who had composure and made some important blocks. Reus didn’t play that many games but he looked good when he featured. Good goal threat.

Italy Federico Balzaretti Leonardo Bonucci and Mario Balotelli

Balzaretti proved to be a good fill back at this level. Played at left back and also covered at right back.. Always liked to get up the pitch and put in crosses. Bonucci was a good aggressive centre back who done well throughout the tournament, making crucial tackles and blocks. Balotelli grew as the tournament went on and he had his best game against Germany in the semi final scoring 2 great goals.

Poland Robert Lewandowski Highly rated centre forward. Scored the first goal of the competition and was unlucky not to add to that during the other 2 games.

Portugal Rui Patricio and Joao Pereira

Rui Patricio had a good tournament, making some good saves during Portugals run to the semis. Pereira made his mark at right back and seemed to grow and improve as the competition went on.

Russia Alan Dzagoev Young player who scored 2 goals in Russia’s first game when they hammered CzechRepublic 4-1. He scored again in the next game against Poland. Equal top scorer with 3 goals but never got to see how he would have fared against some of the stronger nations.

Spain Jordi Alba A young left back who impressed through the tournament with his control and runs down the wing culminating in his first Spain goal in the final.