Euro 2012 Focus: Surprise Packages

Euro 2012 has been a pleasant surprise thus far, with not all of those who were tipped to star at the tournament stealing the limelight. Up until the game with the Netherlands Cristiano Ronaldo had under-performed by his standards and Robin van Persie, along with the entire Dutch squad, hasn't had it his way either.

Instead there have been a few lesser-known players really jumping at the opportunity to impress on the big stage, with WhoScored taking the time to look at those that you may not have been aware of prior to the tournament.

After a torrid time in Holland with Ajax, Denmark's Michael Krohn-Dehli soon began to flourish back in his homeland with Brondby, forcing his way into the international set-up, of which he is now a regular fixture. He scored the only goal in the Dane's shock win over the Netherlands and then again in the defeat to Germany with two well taken finishes. In fact, of all players to score 2 or more goals only the Czech Republic's Petr Jiracek has taken fewer shots than the Dane's 5.

Meanwhile he has been assured in possession, with an excellent 88.9% pass accuracy the joint third of all wingers to have started at least twice at Euro 2012. His 7 tackles (the second most of wingers at the tournament) prove that he never shirked his defensive responsibilities, and Krohn-Dehli stole the show for Olsen's side while all eyes were on teammate Eriksen, who failed to deliver in comparison.

Much was made of the Pole's reliance on their Dortmund-based trio prior to the tournament and though the assumption proved fairly accurate, Sebastian Boenisch certainly made his mark on the opposite flank to Piszczek. The first thing that strikes you about the 25-year-old is his physique, occupying a very robust frame for a full-back.

While at times he seemed to be lumbering up and down the line, once he got up a head of steam Boenisch offered a real threat, as well as proving tough to beat in a defensive sense. Though he didn't score, an average of 2 shots per game is the most of any defender at the tournament, while he has completed the second most tackles (12), third most interceptions (9) and most clearances (13) of any full-back at Euro 2012. Having made just one start for Werder Bremen last summer he is available on a free transfer.

The Czech Republic finished Group A as the surprise winners, especially having lost to Russia 4-1 in their opener. One man who did manage to stand out in that defeat and has continued to do so throughout the tournament is young winger Vaclav Pilar, After taking his goal against the Russians with great aplomb to open his international account, Pilar doubled his tally in the next game and has been confident in front of goal.

Only Arjen Robben has taken more shots of all wingers at the tournament so far than Pilar's 10, whilst just Arshavin and Ribery have completed more dribbles (6) of all wide men. With this in mind it seems Wolfsburg have got themselves a real bargain having secured the Plzen-loanee's signature for less than £1m ahead of next season.

Staying with the Czech national side, Theodor Gebre Selassie is a name that isn't easy to forget and his performances this summer will have drawn even more attention. A willing-runner from right-back, the Liberec man broke into the international set-up last year and has been a regular ever since.

With an assist to his name from a solitary key pass he has supported attacks well and mustered 5 shots at goal over his 3 appearances thus far. At the back he has only been beaten by 1 dribble and has weighed in with an impressive 2.3 tackles per game, as well as proving to be dominant in the air, winning 4 out of 5 duels thus far. A man of the match rating of 7.5 from WhoScored in the win over Greece will have seen him catch the eye of a number of scouts at the tournament, so don't be surprised to see him on the move when it's over.

Another defender to have put in consistently strong performances is Croatia's Gordon Schildenfeld, who along with centre-back partner Corluka helped keep Spain at bay for much of the game on Monday. The 27-year-old spent his early playing days with hometown club Sibenik before a move to Zagreb and eventually Besiktas. He failed to deliver in the Turkish Super Lig though, and came to find himself with Bundesliga II club Frankfurt last season.

Schildenfeld's development with the promoted side saw him earn his way into Bilic's squad and start both matches in the play-off against Turkey. He has since cemented a place in the absence of the injured Dejan Lovren and filled a gap that many felt would be a real weakness after the Lyon defender's withdrawal. His all round contribution defensively has seen him complete a combined total of 33 interceptions and clearances - a tally only bettered by Hummels, Agger and Wasilewski.