From Ronaldo & Cassano To Pandev & Dzeko - Meet The Star Man From All 51 Countries Trying To Qualify For Euro 2012


We look at the stand-out players from each team...

The marathon Euro 2012 qualifying campaign is set to get underway on Friday. Sixteen places are at stake and indeed each team hope to rely on one player in particular - their star man.

Below we take a look at the best player from every country. Naturally, it is not easy to pinpoint one particular player but for this special article, we have taken into account the players' consistency, form and regularity for his team.

Here are the 32 star men ahead of the Euro 2012 Qualification campaign:

Group A

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Germany: Bastian Schweinsteiger (26, Midfielder, Bayern Munich) - Schweini was one of the most vital players at the World Cup for the Germans and is one of the most complete midfielders in the world.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/TUR.gif Turkey: Arda Turan (23, Winger, Galatasaray) - Turan already has more than 40 caps and his runs and crosses from the left wing are going to be very important for Turkey.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/AUT.gif Austria: Marc Janko (27, Striker, Twente) - The former Salzburg striker is a goal machine at modest levels and has seven goals in 17 international appearances. Austria need him at his best.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/BEL.gif Belgium: Vincent Kompany (24, Defender/Midfielder, Manchester City) - Kompany has been called up 32 times and has been capped every single time. No other player in the current squad has as many caps having been picked after every call up, which highlights how important he has been to a succession of managers.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Kazakhstan: Andrei Karpovic (29, Midfielder, FC Aktobe) - The defensive midfielder will be one big hope for European minnows Kazakhstan. His experience will be vital for his team's chances.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Azerbaijan: Elvin Mammadov (22, Midfielder, Qarabag) - A goalscoring midfielder, Mammadov has struck seven times in 22 international appearances. Azerbaijan are not expected to do much in this group, but Mammadov will be vital for them in terms of achieving something respectable.

Group B

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Russia: Andriy Arshavin (29, Midfielder, Arsenal) - A versatile player who can feature either as a midfielder or a second striker, Arshavin was immense for Russia at Euro 2008. His creativity and force from the midfielder will be crucial.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Slovakia: Marek Hamsik (23, Midfielder, Napoli) - One of the most complete young midfielders on the planet, Hamsek was a disappointment in South Africa. But his creativity, invention and vision from the midfield cannot be underplayed.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Republic of Ireland: Robbie Keane (30, Striker, Tottenham Hotspur) - The Irish legend will again be spearheading his team's attack. With 43 goals in 100 appearances, Keane has often delivered for his nation.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif FYR Macedonia: Goran Pandev (27, Striker, Inter) - Pandev is one of Macedonia's most talented players and will be his nation's main hope. The former Lazio striker has goals in him and can also support the midfield.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Armenia: Henrikh Mkhitaryan (21, Midfielder, Shakhtar Donetsk): Blessed with creativity and vision, the 21-year-old could emerge as one of the best and most productive youngsters of the qualifying campaign.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Andorra: Ildefons Lima (30, Defender, Bellinzona): Andorra will have to be strong at the back and the much experienced Lima is the one most likely to provide the shield in defence.

Group C

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Estonia: Andres Oper (32, Striker, ADO Den Hag) - The veteran Estonian has yet to lead his team to a major competition and this is probably his last chance to do so. He will spearhead Estonia's attack.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Italy: Antonio Cassano (28, Striker, Sampdoria) - The trequartista is back in the Italy fold after two years and his return assures the re-injection of creativity and vision in what had been a largely uninspiring Italy attack.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Serbia: Nemanja Vidic (28, Defender, Manchester United) - Regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the world, Vidic's heroics at the back secured Serbia a place in the 2010 World Cup finals. He will again be crucial for the Europeans at the back.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Northern Ireland: Steven Davis (25, Midfielder, Northern Ireland) - The 25-year-old is gradually reaching his peak and having shown an abundance of promise in his younger years, Davis will be keen to perform on the international stage.

Faroe Islands: Christian Høgni Jacobsen (30, Midfielder/Striker, NSI Runavik) - Faroe Islands have not much hope in the qualification campaign and will be looking towards Jacobsen for inspiration.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Slovenia: Valter Birsa (24, Midfielder, Auxerre) - Birsa became the youngest player ever to play for Slovenia and his exploits in France have made him one of Slovenia's biggest hopes.



Group D

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif France: Florent Malouda (30, Winger, Chelsea) - Malouda is one of the best left-wingers in the world and his return proper to the France team will be key for les Bleus as they look towards a brighter future.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Romania: Christian Chivu (29, Defender, Inter) - The former Roma centre-back is often injured but when fit is one of the best defenders in European football. Chivu will marshal the backline for Romania.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Bosnia and Herzegovina: Edin Dzeko (24, Striker, Wolfsburg) - The highly rated forward is a goal machine and has been a top goalscorer in Germany for a number of years. His goals could determine if Bosnia progress.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Belarus: Alyaksandr Hleb (29, Midfielder, Birmingham City) - Sent on loan to Birmingham City by Barcelona, Hleb's career is not progressing much but he remains arguably the best player for Belarus at the moment.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Albania: Lorik Cana (27, Midfielder, Galatasaray) - The defensive midfielder was one of the best players in France and recently moved to Galatasaray in Turkey. Cana's strength and tackles in the midfield offer Albania some hope.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Luxembourg: Mario Mutsch (25, Midfielder, Metz) - The midfielder is one of the few recognised players from the small country and indeed he will be key to their hopes of avoiding a whitewash.

Group E

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Netherlands: Wesley Sneijder (26, Midfielder, Inter) - The Dutch maestro is arguably the most creative midfielder for the Netherlands and also scored five times for the Netherlands in the World Cup.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Sweden: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (28, Striker, Milan) - One of the most talented players in Europe, Ibrahimovic couldn't inspire Sweden to the World Cup in the summer. However, he will rejuvenated to take them to the Euro 2012 finals.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Finland: Sami Hyypia (36, Defender, Bayer Leverkusen) - The ever-lasting Fin will once again be at the heart of the defence for Finland and once more his experience and ability to control the backline will be invaluable.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Hungary: Balazs Dzsudzsak (23, Midfielder, PSV) - One of the more entertaining players in the Dutch league, Dzsudzsak will be looking to inspire his country with his silky skills.

Moldova: Alexandru Epureanu (23, Midfielder, Dynamo Moscow) - Epureanu's experience in the Russian Premier League will come into use as Moldova try to stave the rot.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif San Marino: Andy Selva (34, Striker, Hellas Verona) - The much traveled veteran will have his final chance to take little San Marino to the Euro 2012 finals, however unlikely that may be...



Group F

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Croatia: Dario Srna (28, Defender/Midfielder, Shakhtar Donetsk) - A versatile player who can feature either as a right-back or a right-winger, Srna is one of Europe's and Croatia's more influential wing-players.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Greece: Giorgios Samaras (25, Striker, Celtic) - Not exactly prolific for Greece, Samaras is, nevertheless, the Euro 2004 champions' main striker.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Israel: Yossi Benayoun (30, Midfielder, Chelsea) - Arguably the best Israeli player in the modern era, Benayoun is his national team's inspiration and talisman.

Latvia: Andrejs Rubins (31, Midfielder, Qarabag) - The left-winger's play will be important for his team as they look to repeat their shock qualification from 2004.

Georgia: Levan Kenia (19, Midfielder, Schalke) - Kenia is a promising teenager and his influence from the midfield is worth watching our for.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Malta: Shaun Bajada (27, Midfielder, Birkirkara) - Malta wouldn't fancy their chance of going through from this group but the midfielder will be looking to make a name for himself in the qualifiers.

Group G

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif England: Ashley Cole (29, Defender, Chelsea) - With Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard consistently under-performing when it really matters, Cole has established himself as England's most reliable player, and the only one to perform at a top level at the World Cup.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Switzerland: Gokhan Inler (26, Midfielder, Udinese) - The highly rated midfielder, with elegance and vision, will once again be looking to marshal the Swiss to another successful qualification campaign.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Bulgaria: Stiliyan Petrov (31, Midfielder, Aston Villa) - The former Celtic man is one of the best Bulgarian players to have emerged in recent times and his midfield abilities will be important in what is a somewhat struggling team.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Wales: Gareth Bale (21, Defender, Tottenham Hotspur) - A versatile player who can play either as a left-back or as a left-winger, Bale is in stunning form currently.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Montenegro: Mirko Vucinic (26, Winger/Striker, Roma) - One of the best players in Serie A, Vucinic is his country's big hope in the qualifiers. A lot rests on his shoulders with Stevan Jovetic injured for the long-term.

Group H

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo (25, Winger/Striker, Real Madrid) - Portugal's superstar, Ronaldo has yet to perform at his best for Portugal and was a disappointment in South Africa. However, the former Manchester United star is one of the most talented players in Europe and Portugal's trump card.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Denmark: Simon Kjaer (21, Defender, Wolfsburg) - One of the best young centre-backs in Europe, Kjaer was an important figure in Denmark's qualification campaign for the 2010 World Cup finals and his presence in the heart of the Danish backline will be crucial for his team's chances.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Norway: Brede Hangeland (29, Defender, Norway) - The Norwegian centre-back is one of the better defenders in the Premier League and his experience in English football will be crucial for his side.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Cyprus: Efstathios Aloneftis (27, Winger, Omonia Nicosia) - The Cypriot veteran's magic down the wings and creativity will be relied upon heavily by the strikers.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Iceland: Gretar Steinsson (28, Defender, Bolton Wanderers) - Steinsson's Premier League experience will be heavily called upon by his side in the qualifying campaign.



Group I

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Spain: Xavi (30, Midfielder, Barcelona) - Best centre-midfielder in the world, Xavi's vision is unparalleled. The Barcelona maestro will again be the central thread of Spain's web.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Czech Republic: Petr Cech (28, Goalkeeper, Chelsea) - Cech has been suffering from injuries for quite a while but when fit, the 28-year-old is one of the best in the world between the sticks.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Scotland: Scott Brown (25, Midfielder, Celtic) - Brown's influence will be huge for Scotland's chances to progress, especially with the more-heralded Darren Fletcher often underperforming for his country.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Lithuania: Marius Stankevicius (29, Defender, Lithuania) - The Valencia defender, on loan from Sampdoria, is one of the few recognisable players from Lithuania, and his pace and fighting spirit is always an asset.

http://www.goal.com/web/goal/current/images/flags/three-letter-code/GER.gif Liechenstein: Mario Frick (35, Striker, St, Gallen) -This is probably the last chance for the veteran to try to lead his nation to a major international competition.

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