Euro 2012: Those who flattered to deceive

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Alan Dzagoev of Russia and Denmark’s Michael Krohn-Dehli have used Euro 2012 to showcase their talent. The duo weren’t universally well known before the tournament.

Conversely, quite a few big names have failed to fire in the group state of the Euros. Some members of the ‘flop group’ have a chance to redeem themselves, as their teams have reached the quarter-finals. The others will have to wait for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers to make a mark at the international level.

Here is the lowdown on those who flattered to deceive Robin van Persie: He is not the most popular man in the Netherlands now. Van Persie couldn’t do anything wrong for Arsenal last season but he couldn’t do anything right for the Dutch at the Euros. He was so anonymous against Portugal that some fans might have had doubts whether he turned up in the first place.

Wojciech Szczesny: It was a case of home horror for the Polish goalkeeper in the Euro opener. After leaking in a soft goal against Greece, he conceded a penalty. His foul for the penalty also earned him a straight red card. Szczesny’s misery was complete when he was banished to the bench for Poland’s final group match against the Czech Republic.

Alexander Kerzhakov: The Russian forward had come to the battle without ammunition. Kerzhakov, Dick Advocaat’s first-choice striker, had 12 shots in three matches but none of them was fruitful.

Shay Given: It is a given that the Republic of Ireland defence was poor. But that is not an excuse for shipping in nine goals. Given gave away soft goals in every match as Ireland bowed out of the tournament with their confidence battered.

Mario Balotelli: The man-child of Italian football should talk less and score more, even though he finally ended his drought against the Republic of Ireland. The casual manner in which Balotelli missed a sharp one-on-one opportunity against Spain was shocking to say the least.

Thomas Muller: He took the 2010 World Cup by storm but he is yet to find his gears at the ongoing Euros. The next big thing in German football remains a work in progress as Mario Gomez is getting all the accolades up front.

Karim Benzema: Euro 2012 was supposed to be Benzema’s event but the Real forward hasn’t been able to catch the eye. He fired blanks in France’s first two matches.

Arjen Robben: The selfish winger with an elephantine ego has become a serial loser. Fans will remember him for his petulant exit — he jumped over an advertisement hoarding on the far side — after being substituted against Germany than for his goals because he didn’t score any in Euro 2012.

Franck Ribery: Even though Ribery is capable of turning a match in the blink of an eye, he appears strangely jaded at Poland and Ukraine. Maybe he is reserving his best for the knockout rounds. Without inspiration from him, France can’t dream of going all the way.