UEFA Magazine cover story:
One of the joys of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship is that, although the players are in most cases already well established in the professional ranks, there are few bona fide superstars on show. Instead, spectators have the chance to watch players who are still at the start of their professional careers and imagine which of those may go on to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Petr Čech, Alberto Gilardino and Klaus-Jan Huntelaar, who have impressed at these finals in recent years. uefa.com picks out eight players to watch in the Netherlands over the next fortnight.
Group A
Maarten Martens (Belgium)
The midfielder made his senior international debut earlier this year and his goals and assists were a key factor in AZ Alkmaar's challenge for the Eredivisie title this season. He scored ten goals and set up another ten, more than any other player in the Dutch top flight. His form more than justified the faith of AZ coach Louis van Gaal, who signed Martens from RKC Waalwijk last summer despite the fact he was still recovering from a knee ligament injury.
Ben Sahar (Israel)
The highest profile player in Israel's squad, the striker moved from Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC to Chelsea FC last summer and became his country's youngest ever international when he made his senior debut against Ukraine in February. He scored twice on his third appearance against Estonia and, having scored on his U21 debut in the play-off against France and featured three times for Chelsea, looks set for a bright future.
Ryan Babel (Netherlands)
Described as "the next Thierry Henry" by Marco van Basten, who included him in his squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals, Babel has had plenty of admirers since making his debut for AFC Ajax in February 2004 and already has 14 senior caps to his name. Can play up front or on the wing and became the Netherlands' youngest scorer with a goal on his debut against Romania in 2005.
Nani (Portugal)
A classy creative midfielder who has agreed to join Manchester United FC after two impressive seasons in the Sporting Clube de Portugal first team, Nani was the youngest member of the Portugal squad for a year. Such is his potential he made his senior debut in September and now has six caps. His last act in a Sporting shirt was to help the club win the Portuguese Cup in May and the club never lost a league match in which he scored -although his goal on his international debut against Denmark was not enough to prevent a 4-2 defeat.
Group B
David Nugent (England)
The Preston North End FC striker scored 18 goals in their promotion bid this season, and although they missed out on the Premier League it would be no surprise to see Nugent, who was relased from Liverpool FC's academy aged 14, in the top-flight before long. His pace is phenomenal and he uses that asset to the full as well as being a smart finisher - his poaching instinct helping him score on his senior England debut against Andorra in March.
Riccardo Montolivo (Italy)
The ACF Fiorentina midfielder is the fulcrum of the Azzurrini's bid for a sixth U21 title in eight championships having scored three goals in qualifying. Has been compared to Andrea Pirlo by Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli, whose side rely on Montolivo's vision, creativity and extensive range of passing. His class has won praise from no less an authority than Marcello Lippi, who said: "When you have such a brilliant talent, you just have to say: 'You are always going to play.' And he'll never let you down."
Boško Janković (Serbia)
The right-winger’s exciting form at RCD Mallorca brought him nine goals in 17 Primera División starts this season and caught the eye of both FC Barcelona and Valencia CF. Janković played in these finals in both 2004 and 2006, and joined Mallorca last year having helped FK Crvena Zvezda - whose crest he has tattooed on his right shoulder - complete the league and cup double in what was then Serbia and Montenegro. Finally made the step up to the senior international side in a friendly against Norway last November and already has goals in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying against Portugal and Finland to his name.
Daniel Pudil (Czech Republic)
Yet another U21 starlet who has already had a taste of senior international football, the FC Slovan Liberec midfielder is a potent force when attacking from deep. Released by AC Sparta Praha as a junior, Pudil did not represent his country until the age of 18 but has subsequently overtaken his contemporaries to make his full debut against Belgium earlier this year. He is a key figure at Liberec, who he helped to the Czech title in 2006.
