Cristiano Ronaldo, Mario Gomez and Andres Iniesta – The players who have lit up Euro 2012 so far

Euro 2012 is reaching the business end with the quarter-finals starting on Thursday. With only eight teams remaining there are a number of players over the last fortnight who have excelled on Europe’s biggest stage.
 
Germany striker Mario Gomez has been on a hot streak during the tournament. He scored a late winner against Portugal and then bagged a double in the victory over Holland, continuing his electric club form.  

 
Gomez is currently the leading goalscorer in the tournament and is 7/4 (2.75) with Paddy Power to pick up the Golden Boot and 3/1 (4.0) to net the first goal in Germany’s quarter-final match against 2004 champions Greece.
 
Cristiano Ronaldo was fashionably late to the dance after a couple of disappointing games. The Portuguese winger answered his critics with two goals and a match-winning performance against the Dutch.
 
Ronaldo certainly looks in the mood and is 7/2 (4.50) with Paddy Power to be the tournament’s top goalscorer.

Is this the time when Ronaldo lives up to his potential in a European Championship? His performance against Holland was impressive and Paddy Power makes him 7/1 (8.0) to be crowned player of the tournament.
 
Spain are the defending champions and got through a couple of difficult matches to top Group C. Cesc Fabregas has been used by Vicente del Bosque as a striker and has rewarded his manager with two goals. The 25-year-old is a 16/1 (17.0) shot with Paddy Power to finish the tournament as the top goalscorer and can continue his good run in the knockout stage.
 
His Barcelona team-mate Andres Iniesta has been in typically scintillating form. The midfielder rarely seems to give the ball away and can pick out a pass few others in the game would even attempt.

The influential midfielder is at the heart of everything Spain create and is 8/1 (9.0) to be named the player of the tournament.
 
Another contender for the award is Bastian Schweinsteiger. He has dictated the play in Germany’s opening few games and been a significant feature of their success. The Bayern Munich midfielder is available at 11/1 (12.0) with Paddy Power for the crown and if he stays fit then that could prove a very tempting price.
 
An Englishman who lit up the European stage last week was Danny Welbeck. The Manchester United youngster scored an exquisite goal against Sweden and has led the line well in Wayne Rooney’s absence.

Could he be the best player of Euro 2012? He’s a 50/1 (51.0) shot with Paddy Power and will have a key role to play as England progress.

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Jim Knight is Betting Editor at Goal.com and has been tipping football games since he was old enough to place a bet. He is a Leicester City fan, writer and member of the We Are Going Up Podcast
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