This week the biggest international competition in European football kicks off. Yes, the European Championships 2012 in Poland and Ukraine provides the football fan with three weeks of action, seeing him through a part of the summer that can only be described as lonesome for a footy fan devoid of any football. Elysium has sent its scouts far and wide to uncover our pick of the mercurial talents that will light up the stadiums, and your TV screens, this June.

 

Russia – Alan Dzagoev, Attacking Midfielder (CSKA Moscow)

An attacker able to play across the front line, or behind a main striker. Dzagoev has blinding speed and excellent quality of the ball. He’ll probably line up on the opposite flank to Arshavin, but he’s known to come inside where he’ll try to dictate play with a keen creative eye. Retaining possession is his game to don’t expect to see Dzagoev give the ball away much. Russia’s key to doing well in this tournament.

 

Denmark – Christen Eriksen, Central Midfielder (Ajax)

We could be witnessing the development of a central midfield colossus in Eriksen, and at just 20 years old he’s only going to get better. The dynamic Eriksen has been bossing the Ajax midfield over the last few seasons, and should he have a good tournament, his days at the Dutch champions look numbered. A box-to-box performer with a great eye for a pass and also the goal too. The Danes will be looking to Eriksen for leadership and craft as they look to navigate through a very tough Group B.

 

Germany – Mario Götze, Attacking Midfielder (Borussia Dortmund)

Huge things are expected of this 19 year old whiz kid. Götze is another immensely talented attacker from the German talent production line that already includes team mates such as Mesut Özil, Toni Kroos, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller and André Schürrle. Leading Dortmund to domestic glory this season provides the ideal platform for Götze to announce his mercurial talents on the world stage. Look out for his skill on the ball, instinctive movement similar to Zidane or Scholes, with creativity and flair in abundance.

 

Italy – Claudio Marchisio, Central Midfielder (Juventus)

The central midfielder has been instrumental in Juventus’ glory on the domestic front, and at the age of 26 Marchisio is heading into the prime years of his career. A versatile midfielder with a strong engine and enough guile to steer a few key passes – he’ll be one the players the Azzurri will look to with tough games to come in Group C.

 

 

 

 

Spain – Fernando Llorente, Striker (Athletic Bilbao)

The Spanish squad is bursting with talent so who can you choose? Well, in the man nicked named El Rey León (The Lion King), Llorente is a hugely prolific striker who never needs a second invitation to bury a chance. A physical presence but very comfortable with the ball on the deck, he’s able to link up the sublime play from the Spanish midfield, then moments later finish off the play with a clinical goal. With no David Villa in the squad due to injury and a Fernando Torres still looking to recapture the form of a few seasons ago, Llorente may well be man Del Bosque puts his faith in as the Spanish defend their Euro crown.

 

Sweden – Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Striker (AC Milan)

Many of you will already know about the enigma that is Ibrahimovic. He’s been hyped up ahead of many past tournaments on the domestic and international stage yet he rarely shines. However Elysium thinks this could be his moment. Yes, he’s temperamental and arrogant, but also hugely talented and able to turn a game with his exquisite skill (defying his ‘big front man’ tag) when he’s in the mood. He’s also prone to some great soundbites in his assessment of opponents and performances, so he’ll entertain on & off the pitch.

 

France – Yann M’Vila, Defensive Midfielder (Rennes)

Displaying a maturity beyond his mere 21 years, M’Vila has been a crucial component in Laurent Blanc’s Les Bleus. In similar style to Didier Deschamps in his pomp, M’Vila will patrol between the defence and midfield. M’Vila’s passes are often the platform for France to attack using the speed and skill of Benzema or Ribery. Arsenal fans will have a long look at M’Vila as rumours circulate of a done-deal to secure his services at the Emirates next season.

 

England – Ashley Young, Winger (Manchester United)

The wide man enjoyed an overall steady first season with his club after a sensational start. The tricky winger has been integral to England’s attacking moves, while his eye for goal has seen him snatch a few in recent games. Dependent of how Roy Hodgson deploys Young – behind a main striker or out on either wings – Young has the talent to shine on the European stage. He could be England’s main man with Wayne Rooney suspended for the first two games in Group D. Elysium predicts he’ll take his chance to showcase his skills on the grand stage.

 

Agree with our choices, you reckon we’ve missed off someone else set to cause ripples in the football world this summer? Tell us via Twitter