Euro 2016 playoffs: Top players from each nation to watch out for

The Euro 2016 qualifiers are nearing its end as the playoffs kick off from the 13th of this month. These qualifiers have had its fair share of surprises and upsets so far with Netherlands and Greece surprisingly missing out on qualification and unheralded nations like Iceland, Albania and Northern Ireland qualifying for the finals in France next summer.During the course of the qualifiers, every nation has had a few players on whom expectations were high and these players have pulled through on several occasions. Once again it will be these players on whom every spectator’s eye will be fixed on in the playoffs.The fixtures are as followsNovember 13th - Norway vs Hungary (Return Leg: November 16th)November 14th- Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Republic of Ireland (Return Leg: November 17th)November 14th- Ukraine vs Slovenia (Return Leg: November 18th) November 15th- Sweden vs Denmark (Return Leg: November 18th)Here are the top players from each team to look out for in the playoffs.

#8 Alexander Tettey- Norway

Norway’s chances of qualification will depend on Tettey

Perhaps the most evenly matched contest in this playoffs will be the Hungary-Norway clash and Norway will be looking forward to qualify for their first tournament in 16 years. Norwich City defensive midfielder Alexander Tettey has lately shown a good run of form and will perhaps be Norway’s most crucial player prior to the playoffs. The Ghanian-born midfielder has so far scored three goals in nine appearances for Norway.With Norway being a little shaky in both defence and attack, a lot of responsibility will lie on the shoulders of Tettey who along with setting up and trying to score goals will also have to play his part in Norway’s defence and if the 29-year old is able to show his full potential, then Norway have a very strong chance of qualifying for Euro 2016.

#7 Balazs Dzsudzsak- Hungary

Dzsudzsak will be the man to look out for in the Hungary camp

Hungary would probably consider themselves the most unlucky team in the qualifiers as they were within a whisker of qualifying automatically as the best third-placed team before a Kazakhstan victory and a late Turkey winner pushed them to second position in the third placed team rankings and instead allowed Turkey to qualify as the best third-ranked team.Hungary’s goalscoring charts may be led by Krisztian Nemeth and Daniel Bode but on an overall analysis their most crucial player coming into the playoffs will be their captain Balazs Dzsudzsak.

The 28-year old Bursaspor winger is currently one of Hungary’s most experienced players and has been one of Hungary’s biggest contributors throughout the qualifying campaign. Apart from scoring an important equalizer against Romania, the Hungarian captain has set up four goals for Hungary.

Throughout the qualifiers, Dzsudzsak has been really good at set pieces especially his corners have set up several goals for Hungary who will now be up against Norway in the playoffs. If Dzsudzsak can keep up his good form then Hungary could be a force to be wary of.

#6 Robbie Keane- Republic of Ireland

Keane has been Ireland’s top scorer in the qualifiers

Ireland’s skipper Robbie Keane has been Ireland’s talisman for over a decade now and despite being 35, the LA Galaxy striker hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down so far. With star defender John O’Shea unavailable due to injury, a lot will depend on Ireland’s attack for success against a dangerous Bosnia and Herzegovina side.

Keane who also happens to be Ireland’s leader in appearances and goalscoring charts, has been the nation’s top goalscorer during the qualifiers, scoring five goals.Keane’s biggest quality as a footballer has been his ability to score goals which has so far fetched him 67 in an Ireland shirt and in Kevin Doyle and Shane Long, Keane has found two able partners in attack. This attacking trio could be Ireland’s best chance of qualification to Euro 2016.

#5 Edin Dzeko- Bosnia and Herzegovina

Dzeko will be Bosnia’s trump card going into the playoffs

Bosnia’s skipper and all-time top goalscorer will be their most crucial player when Bosnia and Herzegovina lock horns with the Republic of Ireland in the playoffs. Bosnia and Herzegovina had a horrible start to their qualifying campaign, failing to win any of their first four games which resulted in the sacking of their then manager Safet Susic. However, the side improved considerably under their new manager Mehmed Bazdarevic to clinch a playoff spot above Israel.Edin Dzeko has been Bosnia’s star player throughout the course of the qualifying campaign, scoring seven goals in as many matches. It was Dzeko who led the Bosnian resurgence in the qualifiers through his impressive hattrick against Andorra and the Roma striker has built up a formidable strike partnership with Hertha BSC striker Vedad Ibisevic which was an important asset for Bosnia in their successful qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup.

The same would be crucial for their playoff against a Republic of Ireland side who beat world champions Germany in a qualifier. If Dzeko can continue his good form then the Bosnians could make it to their maiden European Championship.

#4 Milivoje Novakovic- Slovenia

Novakovic has been in good form even at the age of 36

Slovenia’s most experienced player Milivoje Novakovic has been in terrific form for Slovenia throughout the qualifiers. The 36-year old Nagoya Grampus striker has bagged 6 goals out of the seven matches he has played in.Throughout the qualifiers, Slovenia’s key strength has been their attack and Slovenia’s second all-time top goalscorer Novakovic will be leading the attack and has to be in top shape as Slovenia will be up against a powerful Ukrainian side who have been pretty decent in attack and particularly in defence as they conceded only four goals in ten matches.

So Novakovic’s experience will be pretty important to break through their defence. If Novakovic can maintain his consistency and Slovenia can solidify their defence then they could be a tough nut to crack for Ukraine. Slovenia have had a roller coaster of a campaign so far with some decent performances in their final few group games clinching them a playoff spot.

#3 Ukraine- Andriy Yarmolenko

Yarmolenko has been in great touch throughout the qualifiers

Ukraine’s number seven Andriy Yarmolenko is slowly turning out to be Andriy Shevchenko’s goalscoring successor. The 26-year old Dynamo Kyiv attacking midfielder has been Ukraine’s ace throughout the qualifiers. Yarmolenko along with Sevilla winger Yevhen Konoplyanka have been Ukraine’s key contributors throughout the qualifiers.Yarmolenko has scored four goals for Ukraine in the qualifiers so far including an impressive hat-trick against Luxembourg and the whole of Ukraine will have a lot of expectations from Yarmolenko when they take on Slovenia in the playoffs. Yarmolenko’s technicality, speed, physique and powerful shot make him a very crucial player for the “Yellow-Blue” and his partnership with Konoplyanka will be the key factor for Ukraine against a resilient Slovenia side.

#2 Nicklas Bendtner- Denmark

Danish hopes rest on veteran Bendtner’s shoulders

Throughout the qualifiers, Denmark have been really disciplined in defence, conceding only 5 goals but a tad predictable up front as they haven’t been able to rack up as many goals as they would have liked and this has been one of the factors why Denmark haven’t been able to qualify directly over Albania.In the playoffs, Denmark will be up against their arch rivals Sweden and the Daniel Agger led defence will be tested by Ibrahimovic and company. At this stage, Denmark have to be productive up front and their most experienced and crucial player in this department will be former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner.

Bendtner has been Denmark’s top scorer throughout the qualifiers so far by scoring just twice but will definitely be the player the Swedish backline should be wary of. If Bendtner can be in top form during the playoffs, then Denmark might just pull off an upset against Sweden and secure their ticket to Euro 2016.

#1 Zlatan Ibrahimovic- Sweden

This could be Ibra’s last chance to feature in a major championship for Sweden

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been Sweden’s ace striker over the years and he will be the player to look out for in the playoffs especially given that in the playoffs, Sweden will have to overcome their neighbours and fierce rivals Denmark to qualify for their 5th successive European Championship. Sweden had a good start to the qualifiers and half way through, they looked to be on the path to direct qualification. However, a string of poor performances against Russia and Austria caused them to drop down to third position. However, the Swedes managed to win their final two games to qualify for the playoffs.Sweden captain Ibrahimovic has undoubtedly been Sweden’s best player of the qualifiers, scoring 8 goals in as many matches. Even during Sweden’s rough patch at the end of the qualifiers, it was Ibrahimovic who led from the front and helped Sweden win their final two games.With tough opponents Denmark up next, a lot of Sweden’s hope will remain on Ibrahimovic to take Sweden to Euro 2016 and for the 34-year old, this would most likely be his last opportunity to represent Sweden in a major championship.