U19 names to note
Monday, July 30, 2007
Article summary
uefa.com picks out eleven players whose impressive performances at the Under-19 finals in Austria indicate a bright future lies ahead of them in the senior game.
Article body
As the excitement of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship begins to die down, the players' thoughts will already be turning to the future with a number having made a considerable impression over the past two weeks in Austria. uefa.com picks out the top performers.
Miloš Bosančić (Serbia)
The Serbia captain looked an accomplished performer despite his country's topsy-turvy campaign. The FK Partizan midfielder scored two well-taken goals in three Group B games, displaying strength and skill in abundance and hinting at a bright future.
Daniel Carriço (Portugal)
In a largely disappointing tournament for Portugal, who failed to progress beyond the group stage, the centre-back showed his quality in defence and attack. A calming influence at the back, his cultured play stood out as he also proved his threat at the other end with two goals.
Artem Dzyuba (Russia)
The FC Spartak Moskva forward lived up to his pre-tournament billing as his side's outstanding player with three impressive displays, scoring two fine goals in the defeat by Germany and working tirelessly at the head of the attack.
Manuel Konrad (Germany)
The epitome of calm. Tough in the tackle, blessed with a powerful right-foot strike and composed on the ball, the SC Freiburg midfielder was the link between defence and attack and behind many of his side's best moments. Singled out by German Football Association technical director Matthias Sammer as a key player for Germany.
Malaury Martin (France)
Always looks composed on the ball and never seemed to give away possession in the engine room of a French side that at their best were as good as any in the tournament. Equally adept at passing short and long, he is also a free-kick specialist - witness his effort against Serbia.
Javier Martínez (Spain)
Spain traditionally rely on two strong central figures and the Athletic Club Bilbao midfielder provided drive and creativity, supporting the attack from a deep-lying role and tidying up in front of defence. The Spain captain missed the final after being booked against France but showed his character by scoring in the penalty shoot-out that followed.
Aarón Ñíguez (Spain)
Perhaps the star of the tournament, his trickery on the left gave Spain a valuable outlet and made him the focal point of their attacks. A set-piece expert, he was highly rated by opposing coaches and UEFA's technical study group and scored fine goals against Austria and Portugal.
Sotiris Ninis (Greece)
The youngest player at the finals lived up to his reputation, continuing his stellar six months with some scintillating displays on the right of the Greece attack. Scored a crucial equaliser in the semi-final against Germany and looks set for a bright future with Panathinaikos FC.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Greece)
The commanding captain, who was suspended for the final, was a rock at the core of an impressive Greece back line that conceded just once in the group stage. Tall and powerful, the AEK Athens FC centre-back was also surprisingly agile and comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Marc Sand (Austria)
Led the Austria attack alongside the equally highly-rated Marko Arnautovic, and caused problems with his physical presence and ability on the ball. Was unfortunate not to give his side an early lead in their first match against Spain.
Sebastian Tyrala (Germany)
A tricky customer who caused problems for every defence he faced, Tyrala's likeness to German great Thomas Hässler was not purely physical. Set up one of the goals of the tournament with his solo run to allow Max Kruse a simple finish and was a constant threat.
Additional reporting by Paul Nixon and Paul Woloszyn