Denys Garmash |
As ever, the UEFA European Under-19 Championship provided the opportunity for the latest crop of rising stars to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Andrés Iniesta, Fernando Torres, Alberto Aquilani, Yoann Gourcuff, Sergio Ramos and David Silva – all past winners of the title. uefa.com's team of reporters picks out ten players who caught the eye in Ukraine.
Sébastien Corchia (France)
A big fan of Italy's Paolo Maldini, Corchia considers himself a modern defender who has the ability to get forward and join the attack. A clever reader of the game, the Le Mans UC 72 right-back combined well with midfielder Tripy Makonda, although his tournament ended with a red card in the semi-final defeat by England.
Nathan Delfouneso (England)
The Aston Villa FC forward took a while to find his scoring touch but once he did, there was no stopping him with two goals each against Slovenia and France, the pick the last, a dribble past three players that displayed poise, balance and close control.
Denys Garmash (Ukraine)
Ukraine's semi-final hero, when his two goals took the hosts into the final for the first time, the FC Dynamo Kyiv midfielder often found himself pushed further forward and responded with performances full of pace, power and imagination. Expert at making clever runs never more so than when making space to open the scoring in the final.
Henri Lansbury (England)
The Arsenal FC midfielder inspired England's run to the final, scoring in three successive games and putting in a virtuoso display against Slovenia, finding the net with a stunning shot and having a hand in four of England's other goals.
Adem Ljajić (Serbia)
A natural attacking talent, the 17-year-old provided four assists as his team topped Group B. Comfortable in possession and willing to operate through the centre or on either flank, Ljajić will provide Manchester United FC with plenty of options when he joins up with the team after ending his loan spell at FK Partizan in January.
Fran Mérida (Spain)
The Arsenal midfielder has an on-field maturity that belies his age. A product of FC Barcelona's youth system, the 19-year-old possesses strength, a wide range of passing and is not afraid to surge forward, although for the second successive U19 finals he suffered disappointment with an early exit.
Kyrylo Petrov (Ukraine)
Like his team, the Ukraine captain grew in stature as the tournament went on, never more than on Matchday 2, when he supplied two assured finishes to earn the hosts a crucial draw against England. Solid and dependable, his tournament ended in style as he lifted the trophy.
Matej Radan (Slovenia)
The goalkeeper conceded seven goals against England but still made several fine saves, particularly from Joe Bennett's late free-kick and had also put in impressive displays against Ukraine – earning his side a valuable draw – and Switzerland, twice pulling off spectacular stops to keep out Orhan Mustafi efforts.
Tunay Torun (Turkey)
The Hamburger SV forward – who cited nerves for his team's group-stage elimination – drew comparisons with Wayne Rooney during his school days and offered glimpses of the England international's style during games against Spain, France and Serbia. Powerfully built, Torun expertly holds up the ball and possesses a powerful shot.
Sébastien Wüthrich (Switzerland)
The Neuchâtel Xamax FC player was a lively presence in the heart of the Swiss midfield, demonstrating a wide range of expansive passing and, in scoring a spectacular added-time equaliser from long range against England on Matchday 1, a thunderbolt shot with his left foot.