, and also the stars that have stood out in the past three weeks.
| No. 10 |  | Hamit Altintop |
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Brilliant in the wins against the Czech Republic and Croatia, where he was Man of the Match, also proved to be a dangerous presence in the defeat against Germany. Coach Fatih Terim summed up his contribution best: "When you have footballers like this, you don't lose." Euro 2008 quick stats| Appearances: | 5 | | Mins. Played: | 487 | | Goals scored: | 0 |
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| No. 9 |  | Andrei Arshavin |
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Brought Russia to life, returning from suspension as the undoubted star of the victory over both Sweden and the Netherlands. Quick, clever with penetrating dribbles, incisive passing and eye for goal have Spanish giants Barcelona drooling. The inspiring figure of Zenith St. Petersburg's victory in the UEFA Cup final. Euro 2008 quick stats| Appearances: | 3 | | Mins. Played: | 310 | | Goals scored: | 2 |
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| No. 8 |  | Michael Ballack |
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The inspiration behind Germany's journey to the final. Totally neutralised by the Croatians, but back with a stunning free-kick goal against Austria before adding a vital header in the quarter-final against Portugal. Cope with the pressure he is under, though he knows expectations of him are high. Ex Germany's coach Rudi Völler called him a symbolic figure. Euro 2008 quick stats| Appearances: | 6 | | Mins. Played: | 564 | | Goals scored: | 2 |
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| No. 7 |  | Gianluigi Buffon |
EMPICS | |
Long regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Proving his world class pedigree with an extraordinary penalty save against Romania, keeping his side in the tournament. Made a crucial save in the shoot-out against Spain but Antonio Di Natale's subsequent miss made it futile. Euro 2008 quick stats| Appearances: | 4 | | Mins. Played: | 403 | | Goals conceded: | 4 |
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| No. 6 |  | Luka Modrić |
EMPICS | |
Much was expected of the man dubbed the Croatian Cruyff. Croatia's single-most impressive performer and deserved better than to bow out after missing a penalty in the shoot-out against Turkey. Included in the Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament, becoming only the second Croatian to ever achieve this feat after Davor Šuker in 1996. Euro 2008 quick stats
| Appearances: | 3 | | Mins. Played: | 313 | | Goals scored: | 1 |
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| No. 5 |  | Cesc Fàbregas |
EMPICS | |
One of the most gifted young midfielders with really good attitude. Presumably not happy to be a substitute in four of the six matches he nevertheless showed the perfect attitude in training and turned games whenever he entered. Demonstrated why he is already a world-class player at just 21. Euro 2008 quick stats| Appearances: | 6 | | Mins. Played: | 352 | | Goals scored: | 1 |
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| No. 4 | | Bastian Schweinsteiger |
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A breath of fresh air on the right side of Germany's midfield. Bounced back from his sending-off against Croatia with a match-winning display against Portugal in the last eight and deservedly named Man of the Match, was involved in all three Germany goals. Euro 2008 quick stats| Appearances: | 5 | | Mins. Played: | 335 | | Goals scored: | 2 |
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| No. 3 |  | Wesley Sneijder |
EMPICS | |
At the heart of the Netherlands' stunning performances as the Dutch almost rediscovered Total Voetbal. Emerged as the playmaker in midfield with some impressive passing. Finished off one of the goals of the tournament against Italy, on his birthday, before trumping that with a tremendous strike against France. Euro 2008 quick stats| Appearances: | 3 | | Mins. Played: | 310 | | Goals scored: | 2 |
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| No. 2 | | Marcos Senna |
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The unsung hero of the Spanish set-up. Provided the security in the centre that allowed Spain's talented, attack-minded midfielders to push forward. Endless work, smart choices of positioning and tackling and the occasional burst forward. Inches away from a deserved goal in the final. Euro 2008 quick stats| Appearances: | 5 | | Mins. Played: | 496 | | Goals scored: | 0 |
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| No. 1 | | David Villa |
AFP/Getty Images | |
The complete modern striker - maker, taker, two footed, good in the air, free kicks, penalties and nerves of steel. Started his tournament with a hat-trick against Russia before scoring a late winner against Sweden. Top scorer despite missing out of the final through injury. Proving himself as one of Europe's finest finishers. Euro 2008 quick stats| Appearances: | 4 | | Mins. Played: | 345 | | Goals scored: | 4 |
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