Four teams remain at Euro 2012, and dozens of players have already turned in brilliant performances.
So who's played the best? That's the topic of the day here at "Set Piece."
Here are my choices for the 5 best players—of Euro 2012 so far. Most of the names come from the final four teams, but a few have already gone home for the summer.
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| Pirlo in EURO2012 |
1. Pirlo
Country: Italy
Position: Midfield
Cristiano Ronaldo is Europe's best player, but Andrea Pirlo has been Euro 2012's best performer.
By far.
One year after being dumped by AC Milan, Pirlo has shown again how great a player he remains. Working with 33-year-old legs, he toils tirelessly in the middle of Italy's midfield, and his hard work and precision passing put him at the heart of literally every attack the Azzurri generate.
Through four matches, Cesare Prandelli's team has scored four goals. Pirlo has been involved directly in all four.
But that's not mentioning the dozens and dozens of dangerous through-balls he plays to his fellow midfielders and forwards—or the cheeky penalty he put past Joe Hart in the penalty shootout against England.
If Italy figure out how to shoot against Germany, they have a chance to pull the upset. Pirlo has been that good.
Position: Midfield
Cristiano Ronaldo is Europe's best player, but Andrea Pirlo has been Euro 2012's best performer.
By far.
One year after being dumped by AC Milan, Pirlo has shown again how great a player he remains. Working with 33-year-old legs, he toils tirelessly in the middle of Italy's midfield, and his hard work and precision passing put him at the heart of literally every attack the Azzurri generate.
Through four matches, Cesare Prandelli's team has scored four goals. Pirlo has been involved directly in all four.
But that's not mentioning the dozens and dozens of dangerous through-balls he plays to his fellow midfielders and forwards—or the cheeky penalty he put past Joe Hart in the penalty shootout against England.
If Italy figure out how to shoot against Germany, they have a chance to pull the upset. Pirlo has been that good.
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| Ronaldo in EURO2012 |
2. C. Ronaldo
Country: Portugal
Position: Midfield/forward
Yes, Cristiano Ronaldo underperformed—at least by his standards—in Portugal's first two matches.
No matter. He has more than made up for it over his country's two most recent games.
Ronaldo has scored three goals—all in the last two matches—during Portugal's run to the semifinals. Along the way, he's reminded everyone why he's considered Europe's best player.
For all the recognition Ronaldo receives, critics often overlook the work he's been putting in as Portugal's captain this summer. Put simply, he's been nothing short of inspirational.
Position: Midfield/forward
Yes, Cristiano Ronaldo underperformed—at least by his standards—in Portugal's first two matches.
No matter. He has more than made up for it over his country's two most recent games.
Ronaldo has scored three goals—all in the last two matches—during Portugal's run to the semifinals. Along the way, he's reminded everyone why he's considered Europe's best player.
For all the recognition Ronaldo receives, critics often overlook the work he's been putting in as Portugal's captain this summer. Put simply, he's been nothing short of inspirational.
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| Iniesta in EURO2012 |
3. Iniesta
Country: Spain
Position: Midfield
As great as Xavi has been, Andres Iniesta has been Spain's best player.
The stats say he's contributed only one assist, but Iniesta did not receive credit for the pass he played to Jordi Alba that resulted in Xabi Alonso's opening goal against France.
That seems par for the course with Iniesta, who always provides top-class work without always receiving the appropriate recognition.
Country: Spain
Position: Midfield
As great as Xavi has been, Andres Iniesta has been Spain's best player.
The stats say he's contributed only one assist, but Iniesta did not receive credit for the pass he played to Jordi Alba that resulted in Xabi Alonso's opening goal against France.
That seems par for the course with Iniesta, who always provides top-class work without always receiving the appropriate recognition.
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| Xavi in EURO2012 |
4. Xavi
Country: Spain
Position: Midfield
What else is there to say about Xavi. We all know his game: passing, passing, an occasional goal, passing, passing, assists and more passing.
Everyone knows it, in fact. But no one seems capable of stopping him.
Country: Spain
Position: Midfield
What else is there to say about Xavi. We all know his game: passing, passing, an occasional goal, passing, passing, assists and more passing.
Everyone knows it, in fact. But no one seems capable of stopping him.
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| Schweinsteiger in EURO2012 |
5. Schweinsteiger
Country: Germany
Position: Midfield
Before injury problems seemed to catch up with him in the quarterfinals, Bastian Schweinsteiger had been Germany's best midfield player.
In the group stage, Schweinsteiger filled multiple roles—shielding the defense, linking play, controlling the tempo of the game and providing multiple assists.
Position: Midfield
Before injury problems seemed to catch up with him in the quarterfinals, Bastian Schweinsteiger had been Germany's best midfield player.
In the group stage, Schweinsteiger filled multiple roles—shielding the defense, linking play, controlling the tempo of the game and providing multiple assists.
Like the list? Do you agree? Please leave your comment.
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