One of the hottest betting markets throughout the European championships will be that of which player walks away with the coveted trophy of the Golden Boot. The award has been won by names such as Shearer, Kluivert, Bergkamp, Platini, Muller and van Basten to name but a few.
The Euro 2012 tournament looks set to be a closely fought battle as the top players in the world will go head to head to put their name in European history. Let’s take a look at the players that will be featuring for each nation.
Spain
Spain are likely to boast two of the pre tournament favourites to lift the 2012 golden boot in the form Fernando Torres and David Villa.
David Villa currently applies his trade for Barcelona where in 2010 he scored 18 league goals from just 34 appearances for the Spanish giants. His first season at Barcelona (after a €40 million transfer from Valencia) has seen Villa become the lynch pin in what is being dubbed as one of the greatest teams of all time. Villa also boasts a fabulous international goal scoring recorded of 47 goals from just 75 appearances, resulting in a goal every 1.59 games. He has continued to hit the back of the net throughout Spain’s qualifying campaign and will be a thorn in every defence come kick off in Euro 2012.
It’s no secret that Fernando Torres has been struggling for form since his £50 million move from Liverpool to Chelsea. There is no question as to how good this young man is, and looks set to be one of the all time greats. Compared to Villa, Torres’ international goal scoring recorded is not all that strong with 27 goals in 85 appearances at a ratio of 3.1 goals per game. Any player that reaches transfer fees of £50 million is a one that is to be feared and will be a major asset in Spain’s attempt to win back to back European Championships.
Germany
The German’s are thought to be Spain’s closest rivals at Euro 2012. If they are to overcome the heartache of losing to them in the 2010 World Cup, then they will need their two leading goal scorers in Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski to be firing.
Klose has lead the way for Germany’s attacking force since he burst onto the scene in the 2002 World Cup scoring no less than 5 goals. The most amazing feat of this accomplishment was that they were all headers, a trade that seems to be dying out in the modern game. Klose provides a strong target man for the German’s, whilst also producing a ferocious right foot in front of goal. He has scored a staggering 61 goals for his country from 109 games with a goal per game ratio of 1.78. He is ranked 13th in a list of highest scoring international footballers and if the highest ranked still applying his trade.
Lukas Podolski is another player who has a pivotal role in the German side. Whilst eligible to play for both Poland and Germany, he chose Germany in what turned out to be an inspired choice. He has scored 46 goals in just 81 games and is one of the most highly rated players in Europe. What’s even more staggering about Podolski is that he is in fact a midfield player, which makes his goal scoring record simply mind blowing. Podolski is often a name that is linked with many high profile European outfits; however he currently plays for FC Koln where he was given a chance at a young age. At just 26, Podolski could be one of a number of great German footballers.
England
Unlike many major nations, England doesn’t have a stand out proven international goalscorer. Looking through their team sheet, their goals come from an array of players which makes choosing one who could win the golden boot, difficult. However, we have two that spring to mind in Wayne Rooney and Andy Carroll.
Wayne Rooney is without doubt one of the most naturally gifted players in the English team. He stormed onto the scene as a teenager and at the age of 25 has racked up 70 international caps already. From these 70 appearances he has scored a healthy 26 times for his country making him the highest scorer in the current England set up. For England to do well in Euro 2012 then it’s imperative that Rooney fires for them. He’s a strong character and fantastic footballer which will likely prove to be the difference between a good and bad campaign for England.
One of England’s rising stars is that of Andy Carroll. Carroll is the apitimay of the ‘old fashioned centre forward’. At 6 feet 4 inches, he towers above most and his ability in the air is rivalled by few. He will pose a different challenge to what many of the European defenders around the world will be used to, making him a fantastic outside bet. Not only is the big man strong, he has a bullet of a left foot and, providing he stays fit, could well be the one to watch in Euro 2012.
Netherlands
The Dutch have an array of attacking options available to them for Euro 2012. They are arguably the most attacking side in the tournament will pose a great threat going forward as they bid to win their second major international honours.
Robin van Persie has been at the forefront of the Dutch attack for a few years now and currently applies his trade at one of the top European teams in Arsenal. Van Persie has scored on no fewer than 21 occasions for his national side in 56 games giving him a strike rate of 2.66. The powerful striker has one of the best left foots in world football and will be threat from both open play and set pieces. At 6 feet 1 inches van Persie lacks a little aerial ability, the only thing missing in what would make him the complete striker.
Klass-Jan Huntelaar is another young and enterprising Dutch striker. At just 25 years old, Huntelaar has scored 28 times in just 44 games returning a strike rate of 1.57, one of the best heading into the tournament. In a relatively short career Huntelaar has played for 7 clubs (including loan spells) and currently plays for German side Schalke. He has been dubbed as one of the best penalty area strikers in the world by many of his peers and will look to establish himself even further come Euro 2012.
Italy
The Italian national side of late have struggled when finding a ‘goal machine’ that can handle the pressure of big games and put in match winning performances. If they are to pose any threat in Euro 2012 then their big guns are going to have to find the back of the net on a regular basis.
Leading the Italian attack will be that of Alberto Gilardino. Gilardino is a fast, powerful striker and has been often compared with that of Italian legend, Vieri. His record of 17 goals in 47 games is not one that will compete with the likes of the top strikes in the completion, however, that is not to underestimate the skill, ability and goal scoring prowess that Gilardino has in abundance. If Italy is to do well in Euro 2012 then much will rely on the goals of Gilardino to see them through.
For more wagering types and markets, check out our Euro 2012 betting guide.
