Saturday, June 9, 2012

If the drama and excitement of Day 1 came as a surprise to many, you'll be rubbing your hands together waiting for Day 2 to begin.

For the purists, Poland vs. Greece and Russia vs. Czech Rep did not look the most attractive on paper—but how wrong so many people were.

Two great games, a host of goals and plenty of drama has set up Day 2 perfectly—and what a day it's going to be.

Four teams boasting some of the very best players in the world battling it out in the "Group of Death" to avoid a shock plane ticket home before the knockout stages.

Holland, Germany and Portugal are arguably three of the top four sides in the tournament, making the first round of games incredibly important.

Here are the three players to watch...


3) Bastian Schweinsteiger: Germany

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Martin Rose/Getty Images

The German playmaker has the ability to take his country all the way to the final, provided he can stay fit.

The 27-year-old was magnificent for Bayern Munich this season and will again link up with striker Mario Gomez.

Schweinsteiger will orchestrate a talented midfield quartet of Mario Gotze, Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil, giving the likes of Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski and Gomez a plethora of chances—especially with question marks over Portugal's defence.

A calf injury ruled the German out of the final warmup match with Israel, but he recently declared himself fit to start the Portugal game (via the Daily Mail).

He may not be a contender for the Golden Boot, but he is a very realistic possibility for Player of the Tournament should Germany win their first European Championship since 1996.


2) Arjen Robben: Holland

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Julian Finney/Getty Images

Arjen Robben comes into the tournament under a bit of a cloud having missed a penalty for Bayern Munich in the Champions League final, and there are rumours he may be on his way to back to the Premier League (via the Daily Mail).

However, there is no doubting the winger's obvious talent and eye for goal after scoring 19 in all competitions for his club this season.

In Euro 2008, he enjoyed limited success after fighting Robin van Persie for one spot in the side. This time around, it's a completely different story with both players being indispensable to Bert van Marwijk.

Their 6-0 demolition of Northern Ireland was an ominous sign of things to come, and Robben along with Ibrahim Afellay and Wesley Sneijder, will be way too much for Denmark and many more to come.

But look for Robben to be the main man pulling the strings for the Dutch.


1) Cristiano Ronaldo: Portugal

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Handout/Getty Images

Love him or hate him, you cannot ignore Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Real Madrid star had another record breaking campaign at the Bernabeu this season, and he is widely regarded with Lionel Messi as the very best in the world.

Great players produce on the biggest stages, and despite Portugal facing a difficult task to get out of the Group Stages, Ronaldo can be the man to set alight the tournament.

Free kicks, corners and penalties, the 27-year-old will be involved in almost everything his country do offensively.

60 goals in 55 games for Madrid = watch this man dominate.

Good luck Germany!




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