EURO 2008 INFO

These four players are not very well known, but according to the index performance Castrol, they are among the best footballers in Europe.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov () 1623 pts

At 22 years, the midfielder of FC Lokomotiv Moscow is the star of the generation of the most promising talents in Russia since 1950. Fourth best midfielder ranking of the performance index Castrol, Bilyaletdinov has received an average of almost two shots per game in the qualifying for Euro 2008.

A clever and intelligent, Bilyaletdinov is both mature - he was captain of his club when he was still a teenager - and versatile enough to play on the left wing, center or support an attacker. He can pass, dribble and take his opponents speed, but it should probably mark more for his club and his country. His name was mentioned for a possible transfer to Chelsea FC, but would leave the Lokomotiv since ripping his father, Reinat, is replacing the coach of the club.

Antonio Di Natale () 2885 pts

Some players need more time than others to develop. The Prince of Udinese, as supporters call him the Bianconeri, was capé for the first time in 2002, but did not become owner only recently.

The player aged 30 ranks second in the classification of the attackers of the index performance Castrol and will likely be appointed captain of the Azzurri this summer. Di Natale has pace, a powerful shot and tactical intelligence that allows it to move on the left wing in 4-5-1 or 4-3-3, or as a partner to attack Luca Toni in 4-4-2. Considering how Roberto Donadoni played Italy - they did not have difficulty in changing formations during their recent 3-1 victory in Portugal face - such flexibility is crucial.

But with the emergence of a Marco Borriello and has displayed dazzling form Alessandro Del Piero in the club, Di Natale can not relax its efforts, or be distracted by the rumours that associate with the Roma.

Stipe Pletikosa () 2812 pts

At 29 years, the keeper of FC Spartak Moscow comes third in its category according to the ranking of the performance index Castrol; behind Gregory Coupet French and German Jens Lehmann. But the road to the top has been long and tortuous for the Croatian goalkeeper out of the training center of the young Hajduk Split, in the late 1990's.

Pletikosa has the ideal guard: excellent in its judgments on fire, it has amazing reflexes and has a very useful gift for face-to-face with the attackers. But despite its size (1.93 m), it was surprisingly vulnerable to high balls being young and conceded easy goals during the European Football Championship under 21 years of UEFA in 2000. After delivering his career back on track and gained confidence through an intensive training he missed Euro 2004 because of a last-minute injury and failed to dislodge Tomislav Butina its place holder for qualifying matches for the 2006 World Cup. But when an injury has put Butina on the sidelines, Pletikosa has seized his chance and has been impressive during the final stage in Germany. Out of ten qualifying matches in the UEFA EURO 2008 he contested, he has conceded only five goals and had received no ball in seven matches. This summer, his talent and determination could finally be recognized at their fair value.

Gabriel Tamas () 1766 pts

Ask the football fans who is the best defender in Europe and many citeraient an Italian. But the index performance Castrol place at the top of its classification advocates a 28-year-old Greek, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, followed by a 24-year-old Romanian, Gabriel Tamas, who plays with AJ Auxerre.

Tamas is one of those players whose careers in club and national selections have turned. Captain of the Romanian team of under 21 years who finished third in the European Championship UEFA in 2006, it has already been capé 30 times, has registered two goals and has missed only two matches in qualifying Euro 2008. Yet, since 2002 he has played for FC Dinamo Bucuresti (twice), Galatasaray AS, Spartak Moscow (twice), RC Celta de Vigo and Auxerre. If he signs a good performance at the Euro 2008 - for example by scoring on one of his kicks exceptional - it could again change clubs.

If they have an opportunity to prove themselves, these four players could very well make the headlines this summer, Austria and Switzerland. So watch them and remember that it is the CPI which was first spotted!