UEFA has announced seven teenagers from the EURO 2012 as rising stars. Great Dane Football Blog takes a closer look on the seven talents.
19 years old
Goalkeeper
England & Birmingham City
Roy Hodgson's selection of Jack Butland came as a surprise for most of the English football fans. The young goalkeeper was on a loan at third-tier Cheltenham Town FC at the start of the season, where he went straight into the starting eleven. He is a well known name in English youth football, with matches for all U-national teams. However, the 193cm tall keeper has not had a single England senior match.
The interest for Butland is rising, as both Southampton and Manchester City is reported interested in the player. An appearance in the EURO will raise his value. However, it is unlikely that we will see the young goalkeeper in the starting line.
Kostas Fortounis
19 years old
Attacking midfielder
Greece & Kaiserslautern FC
The young Greek, has been on the short list in Juventus, who tried to take him on a loan in January 2011, from Asteras Tripoli FC. However, the midfielder decided to join Kaiserslautern FC in the German 1. Bundesliga. Here, he provided some bright moments, even though the club was relegated. His performances impressed Greece coach Fernando Santos, who gave him his debut against Belgium in February, and called him up for this EURO.
Fortounis has already been in action; as he was sent on the pitch in yesterdays draw against Poland. We can expect to see a lot more from the talent. However, he is not a starter for the national team, and probably won’t be in this EURO.
The young Greek, has been on the short list in Juventus, who tried to take him on a loan in January 2011, from Asteras Tripoli FC. However, the midfielder decided to join Kaiserslautern FC in the German 1. Bundesliga. Here, he provided some bright moments, even though the club was relegated. His performances impressed Greece coach Fernando Santos, who gave him his debut against Belgium in February, and called him up for this EURO.
Fortounis has already been in action; as he was sent on the pitch in yesterdays draw against Poland. We can expect to see a lot more from the talent. However, he is not a starter for the national team, and probably won’t be in this EURO.
Maxym Koval
19 years old
Goalkeeper
Ukraine & Dynamo Kiev
The goalkeeper made his professional debut for the Ukrainian club Metalurh Zaporizhya FC, aged sixteen. His first season was quite impressing, as he only conceded 23 goals in 19 matches. His performances caught the eye of FC Dynamo Kiev who signed him in the 2010/2011 season. At the age of seventeen, Koval became first-choice goalkeeper in Dynamo Kiev.
The young keeper has been called up for the EURO 2012, due to injuries in the goalkeeping department. It is unlikely that we will see him play, but it is only a matter of time before he will guard the goal for Ukraine.
The goalkeeper made his professional debut for the Ukrainian club Metalurh Zaporizhya FC, aged sixteen. His first season was quite impressing, as he only conceded 23 goals in 19 matches. His performances caught the eye of FC Dynamo Kiev who signed him in the 2010/2011 season. At the age of seventeen, Koval became first-choice goalkeeper in Dynamo Kiev.
The young keeper has been called up for the EURO 2012, due to injuries in the goalkeeping department. It is unlikely that we will see him play, but it is only a matter of time before he will guard the goal for Ukraine.
Jores Okore
19 years old
Defender
Denmark & FC Nordsjælland
The Ivorian-born defender had his debut in his club FC Nordsjælland last season and has played regular ever since. This season he won the Danish Superliga with FCN, as well as he made his first appearances for Denmark in the friendly against Sweden. Even so, the young defender was a surprising choice from Morten Olsen.
The controlled defender is unlikely to play, as Daniel Agger and Simon Kjær are the first-choices for Morten Olsen. However, he could be on several shortlists after the EURO 2012.
Denmark & FC Nordsjælland
The Ivorian-born defender had his debut in his club FC Nordsjælland last season and has played regular ever since. This season he won the Danish Superliga with FCN, as well as he made his first appearances for Denmark in the friendly against Sweden. Even so, the young defender was a surprising choice from Morten Olsen.
The controlled defender is unlikely to play, as Daniel Agger and Simon Kjær are the first-choices for Morten Olsen. However, he could be on several shortlists after the EURO 2012.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
18 years old
Winger
England & Arsenal
Oxlade-Chamberlain is the second youngest player during the EURO 2012. The young winger has just completed his first season in the Premier League, with 18 appearances for Arsenal. Enough to convince Roy Hodgson that he was ready for the EURO. The Ox, as he is nicknamed, will go in the footstep of his father, Mark Chamberlain, if he is playing a match at the finals.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is one of the players that we are likely to see in the competition. He is not in the starting line, but I am convinced that he will have been given some match experience.
England & Arsenal
Oxlade-Chamberlain is the second youngest player during the EURO 2012. The young winger has just completed his first season in the Premier League, with 18 appearances for Arsenal. Enough to convince Roy Hodgson that he was ready for the EURO. The Ox, as he is nicknamed, will go in the footstep of his father, Mark Chamberlain, if he is playing a match at the finals.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is one of the players that we are likely to see in the competition. He is not in the starting line, but I am convinced that he will have been given some match experience.
Jetro William
18 years old
Left back
Netherlands & PSV Eindhoven
The Dutch have only just had his breakthrough in PSV Eindhoven this season, and already he is in the Netherlands squad. Willems is the youngest player in this year’s tournament, and if he will have an appearance he will be the youngest player ever to appear at a EURO.
Jetro Willems replace Netherlands regular Erik Pieters in the squad and has only had one match in the Orange shirt. However, he can have his second tonight against Denmark.
The Dutch have only just had his breakthrough in PSV Eindhoven this season, and already he is in the Netherlands squad. Willems is the youngest player in this year’s tournament, and if he will have an appearance he will be the youngest player ever to appear at a EURO.
Jetro Willems replace Netherlands regular Erik Pieters in the squad and has only had one match in the Orange shirt. However, he can have his second tonight against Denmark.
Rafał Wolski
19 years old
Attacking midfielder
Poland & Legia Warszawa
Rafał Wolski is considered one of the best young talents in Poland and is often compared to Mario Götze. The young midfielder plays Legia Warszawa where he has shown impressive form. Wolski has already been linked with Borussia Dortmund and other leading clubs in Europe.
The young playmaker has some amazing dribbling abilities and is likely to play in this EURO. He is a great card for coach Smuda, as he can turn a match over by himself.
Rafał Wolski is considered one of the best young talents in Poland and is often compared to Mario Götze. The young midfielder plays Legia Warszawa where he has shown impressive form. Wolski has already been linked with Borussia Dortmund and other leading clubs in Europe.
The young playmaker has some amazing dribbling abilities and is likely to play in this EURO. He is a great card for coach Smuda, as he can turn a match over by himself.
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