The European Championships, to be held in Poland and Ukraine, is filled with stars, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Robin Van Persie, Xavi Hernandez and Franck Ribery expected to create moments of magic that will stay with the soccer lover for ages.
However, here is a look at some of the lesser-known youngsters who could use Euro 2012 as the platform to bigger and greater things.
1. Mario Gotze: No young player in the European game is currently more exciting than the Borussia Dortmund and Germany midfielder. The recently turned 20-year-old had a breakout season with Dortmund in 2010-11, leading them to the championship in Germany. That led to some of the biggest clubs in the world vying for his signature, with Arsenal reportedly tabling a $40 million dollar bid.
Gotze's season was cut short last campaign with an injury; but with him completely fit and refreshed, Group B opponents Netherlands, Portugal and Denmark could have a tough time containing the German from creating as well as scoring goals at will.
2. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: England have, in Oxlade-Chamberlain, an exciting young talent who is not afraid to run at defenders and shows no fear while shooting from outside the box. Oxlade-Chamberlain had an impressive first season with Arsenal after signing from Southampton and the 18-year-old will look to crown a terrific year by inspiring England to their first ever European Championship. The Arsenal midfielder is comfortable playing on the wings and can also be effective in center midfield, as showed while playing against AC Milan in the Champions League.
3. Christian Eriksen: Euro 92 champions Denmark have been set a remarkably tough task of coming out of the Group of Death. The Scandinavian team have been grouped with Germany, Netherlands and Portugal and will have to play out of their skins, if they are to stand any chance of making it to the knockout stage.
Their trump card will be Christian Eriksen. The Ajax playmaker is the one player in the Danish team capable of creating that magical moment and the Danes will rely heavily on the midfielder to create chances for the likes of Nicklas Bendtner.
4. Alan Dzagoev: Russia had a brilliant Euro 2008 campaign, thanks to Andrei Arshavin, who made a name for himself four years ago in Austria and Switzerland. In 2012, another Russian who can break out onto the world stage is Dzagoev. The CSKA Moscow midfielder has been receiving rave reviews for his performances in Russia and Euro 2012 could just be the stage for Dzagoev to turn into the finished article.
5. Yann M'Vila: France are coming off a disastrous World Cup in 2010 and the Les Blues are desperate to put that miserable campaign behind them. The former champions have missed the services of Patrick Vieira and Claude Makelele ever since the pair retired and have struggled to find a replacement to fill in their boots. In M'Vila, they have the perfect player. The Rennes midfielder is strong on the tackle but is also equally capable of finding the killer pass. The 21-year-old will most likely miss the opening match against England after picking up an injury, but expect him to control the France midfield once he returns.
