The group stages of Euro 2012 are over, and thanks to our friends at Castrol EDGE, Sport-locker.net can reveal the top performing players of the tournament so far…

Castrol EDGE Index UEFA EURO 2012 Best XI of Group Stage

Stephan Andersen (34th)

The Danish number one proved his worth in the opening game of the tournament when Denmark faced 32 shots against Netherlands (the most recorded in a match at the European Championships) without conceding a single goal. Andersen made a competition-high four high claims and seven punches in the group stages, without dropping a cross.

Olof Mellberg (4th)

A symbol of calm at the back of the Swedish defence, Mellberg completed 85% of his passes in the group stages and blocked five opponents’ shots (only three players blocked more). He also scored the goal that drew the Swedes level in their game against England and had three shots on target in total, the most of any defender.

Álvaro Arbeloa (9th)

Rampaging up the right flank, the full-back has made more touches of the ball in the opposition box (9) than any other defender at Euro 2012 so far, while completing 89% of his passes overall.

Philippe Mexes (13th)

Solid at the back, Philippe Mexes has so far made 27 clearances at Euro 2012 – only Marcin Wasilewski of Poland has made more. He has also been composed on the ball, completing 91% of his passes and misplacing just one of 99 within his own half.

Fábio Coentrão (22nd)

Keen to get forward, Fábio Coentrão completed eight dribbles in the group stages, twice as many as any other defender, and also set up Silvestre Varela’s dramatic late winner against Denmark. 

David Silva (2nd)

Maintaining his club form, Silva has been instrumental for Spain so far at Euro 2012, setting up three and scoring another of their six goals in the group stages. Only Mario Gomez (three goals, one assist) has been involved in as many goals so far at the tournament.

Alan Dzagoev (3rd)

A surprise early candidate for the Golden Boot award, Dzagoev’s three goals put him joint-top of the scorer board at the end of the group stage, and the outright top-scoring midfielder. He has also been pulling the strings for others at the tournament: Andrey Arshavin was the only Russian player to set up more shots than him (10).

Claudio Marchisio (5th)

Eager to provide a goal threat from midfield for Italy, Marchisio has fired in four shots on target so far in the competition, more than any other Azzurri player. He has also won every one of his aerial duels.

Cristiano Ronaldo (1st)

Having already fired in 22 shots at Euro 2012 (five more than any other player), Ronaldo stands just six short of the overall record in a single tournament (28 by Pavlyuchenko in 2008). While he has scored just twice, he is also the only player to have hit the woodwork more than once.

Nicklas Bendtner (7th)

The Arsenal targetman netted two headed goals for Denmark from just two headed shots. Both those goals came against Portugal, making Bendtner only the third player in the Euro Finals (1980-2012) to score a headed brace. He also set up the Danish goal against Germany, meaning he was involved in three of Denmark’s four strikes at Euro 2012.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (9th)

With a shooting accuracy of 70% and two goals, Ibrahimovic wrote himself into Euros folklore despite his side going out at the group stages. He has now scored in three different European Championship finals, one of only seven players to achieve this feat, while only Platini (nine) and Shearer (seven) have scored more goals in this competition overall (six).

Find out if your team has the Strength to Perform at UEFA EURO 2012™ by visiting www.castroledge.com/euro2012. Castrol EDGE is an Official Sponsor of UEFA EURO 2012™.

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