A look at some of the unsung heroes of qualifying, many of whom will exit the tournament after the qualifiers and all of whom get none of the spotlight. Arjblog brings you the players who have impressed during the 2012 European Championships Qualifying Rounds:
(Trivia alert: There are two players below whose last names start with a double 'l')
The Unsung XII:
Mikael Forssell - Finland - The striker who bombed out at Chelsea has been a Godsend for the Finns at international level. Despite another disappointing qualifying campaign, Forssell has been on fire netting seven goals in eight games. With Finland sitting fourth in their group going into the final pair of matches, Forssell has scored almost half their total of 15 goals, with important strikes against both Netherlands and Hungary. It looks like Leeds have been paying attention as they brought the 30 year old back to England, on a free transfer from Hannover in the summer. Only Miroslav Klose and Klaas Jan Huntelaar have scored more goals than him in the qualifiers.
Gergely Rudolf - Hungary - Another talented striker in Group E, the Hungarian marksman has scored six goals with one assist and opened the scoring three times. In addition he has netted against both Sweden and Netherlands, with a crucial strike in Hungary's entertaining but ultimately futile 5-3 defeat to the Dutch. Strong in the air and good at retaining the ball, he has come a long way from the wily striker who lined up for Debrecen in their Champions League Group Stage adventure against the likes of Liverpool and Marseille in 2009-10. Now at Panathinaikos on loan from Genoa, keep an eye on both him and Hungary.
Tim Matavz - Slovenia - After 35 goals in two seasons with Groningen, the striker transferred to PSV this year and has continued to light it up for the national side despite being just 22. The Slovenians need a long term option up front and the lanky Gorica born forward may just be the answer to their striking dilemma. Excellent in the air and potent in front of the goal, Matavz's continuing apprenticeship at one of Holland's top clubs is reaping dividends for Slovenia. His total of five goals is half his country's total and again he likes to open the scoring on a regular basis, notching the opener three times. Again look out for him in the future, especially this season in the Europa League for PSV.
Gevrog Ghazaryan, Henrik Mkhitaryan, Yura Moyvsisyan - Armenia - The unheard of Armenian trio has been a big reason why Armenia have bridged the gap between minnows to dangerous opponents. Between the three, who average 23 years of age, they have scored 12 times and assisted on eight strikes, while compiling the most minutes on the pitch. They are at one go both the heartbeat and cutting edge of this young exciting team. Thanks to them Armenia are in third spot with an outside chance of progressing. And when you consider that Armenia have only scored 17 goals, the contribution of the two midfielders (Ghazaryan, Mkhitaryan) and striker Moyvsisyan register even more.
Niko Kranjcar - Croatia - Being one of the many talented players on tap for an efficient Croat side is one thing. Being consistently brilliant for one of Europe's most mercurial soccer teams is another thing altogether, especially when one's domestic career seems to be stuck in neutral at an idiosyncratic club that like the national team threatens one moment before crashing the next. Kranjcar has made a mockery of the lack of faith shown in him by Harry Redknapp to further emerge as a top class midfielder in Croatia;'s engine room. In tandem with Luka Modric, he has blossomed as both playmaker and scorer, netting four times and assisting twice.
Aleksandr Cauna - Latvia - The little nation from the Baltic shores was a surprise participant at Euro 2004 where they held the might of Germany to a 1-1 draw, something they may never repeat. However it's not for lack of trying. Cauna has scored four goals from midfield, out of his nation's tally of 10; which is more than anyone on England or France and tied with Italy's leading scorer Antonio Cassano and Portugal's corresponding Cristiano Ronaldo. Originally from Skonto Riga, he now plays for CSKA Moscow. Played a few games for Watford in 2008-09 as a raw 20 year old and looks like a cast member on prison break.
Gregory Van Der Wiel - Netherlands - The Dutch, once again have built their campaign on attacking brilliance and high octane offense. However, their defensive stature has shot up a few notches with the hard work done by quiet workers like Van Der Wiel, who despite spending every minute of the qualifiers on the pitch, has not picked up any bookings or been responsible for any goals. The natural successor to Michael Reiziger at right back, his play has been mature, consistent and eye-catchingly well suited to the effervescence endemic to the Dutch style. Still only 23, he continues where he left off at the World Cup final, as one of the best right backs in the world.
Fernando Llorente - Spain - With the Iberian giants able to field two entire XIs that can win an international tournament, it is easy to forget the contributions of every player who turns out for them. And with the Catalan brilliance of their cultured Barcelona core very much in the spotlight, it is worth noting that it has been a robust Basque forward who has impressed the most for La Furio Roja. Despite possessing a style that fits in naturally with his heritage amongst the tough mountain folk from the North, Llorente has been a welcome addition to the attacking corps for Spain and a healthy replacement for the misfiring Fernando Torres. Tall and strong, he adds a dimension of physicality that gives Spain yet another weapon to best opponents with, all the while fitting in naturally with the existing style.
Hugo Lloris - France - Les Blues have gone about their business quietly in the aftermath of their humiliating World Cup 2010 fiasco. Under a new coach, they started tentatively and have made progress throughout qualifying. They remain atop Group D and have not lost since an opening defeat to Bosnia at home. In that stretch they have only conceded two goals and recorded five cleansheets. And it all starts in goal with the custodian bringing a level of calm to the proceedings. Lloris has been a calm presence between the sticks for the side and is easily one of the unsung heroes of qualifying, a bed rock of France's chances at both progression and the tournament beyond.
Giorgio Chiellini - Italy - The new team under Cesare Prandelli amidst its attacking sparkle has rediscovered that famous defensive stoicism that the Azzurri are renowned for. Admittedly an easy group, but seven clean sheets in eight matches is nothing to be scoffed at. Defensive resilience is the cornerstone of any successful side and Chiellini has been an ever present, going a long way towards ensuring that only one goal has been conceded in their eight games so far. Strong, with excellent positioning, as well as a keen eye for sniffing out danger are almost as impressive as his lack of cautions throughout his 12 hours spent on the pitch.
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