EURO 2008 is coming. The wave is on, the heat is up. Some pundits said that EURO is bigger than World Cup, because it only selected 16 best team from the Blue Continent. They attract more viewers and attention than The Cup. The level of league in Europe is the highest around the globe. So, each team is powerful and has chance to become number one.

In every tournament, star is born, eventually. The young rising star. That’s one we expect to happen beside the champion. As those young players will follow developed players and fulfill their destiny. Here is some of the names that predicted will be shine through the tournament and after. They would probably become european next best player.

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Wayne Rooney, Petr Čech and Cristiano Ronaldo were just three of the names whose reputations were established on the biggest stage at UEFA EURO 2004™. Now four years on euro2008.com takes its pick of some the rising stars who hope to follow in their footsteps by shining this month in Austria and Switzerland.

Igor Akinfeev, 22, Russia
Igor Akinfeev travelled with Russia as an 18-year-old to UEFA EURO 2004™. He was his country’s third-choice goalkeeper then but now, despite being restricted to just six qualifying appearances through injury, is firmly established again as Guus Hiddink’s No1. A UEFA Cup winner in 2005, Akinfeev is among the most exciting young goalkeepers in the European game.

Alberto Aquilani, 23, Italy
Aquilani “could become one of the best players in the world” according to Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon. The AS Roma midfielder was a surprise inclusion for Italy’s friendly against Belgium and showed why by setting up Antonio Di Natale in the Azzurri’s 3-1 win. The complete midfielder, Aquilani faces tough competition in an experienced squad but could prove a wild card off the bench, especially when Italy need goals.

Karim Benzema, 20, France
Benzema needs no introduction after his 20 goals helped Olympique Lyonnais win the French title and established him as the youngest player to finish top scorer in France’s top flight. That, though, is just the beginning for ‘The Benz’ who has already scored three times in nine appearances for France and will be more than just a foil for Thierry Henry.

Martin Fenin, 21, Czech Republic
Fenin may be the youngest player in the Czech Republic squad but expectations are rising fast, particularly with Milan Baroš far from the form that saw him top the scoring chart at UEFA EURO 2004™. Fenin shone in the team that finished runners-up at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup and has continued to impress since leaving FK Teplice for Eintracht Frankfurt in January.

Mario Gómez, 22, Germany
Arguably the most exciting individual to have broken into the Germany fold since the last FIFA World Cup, Mario Gómez has scored 33 league goals in the past two seasons for VfB Stuttgart. Tall, two-footed and with a keen eye for goal, the 22-year-old is wanted by a host of top European clubs and could raise his transfer value considerably at UEFA EURO 2008™. Likely to start alongside Miroslav Klose.

Erwin Hoffer, 21, Austria
Host nation Austria are pinning their hopes on rising star ‘Jimmy’ Hoffer who caught the eye at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, when his three goals helped fire Austria to an unexpected fourth-placed finish. The dynamic young front-runner further raised his profile by winning the Austrian Bundesliga with SK Rapid Wien this season. Speed is Hoffer’s greatest weapon and Austria will need him at his best if they are to spring a surprise in Group B.

Luka Modrić, 22, Croatia
Much is expected of this central midfielder who has rapidly become key to Croatia’s chances. One of the most technically gifted players in coach Slaven Bilić’s squad, he can pull off passes other players might not even see, and though slim, his pace keeps him clear of more physical opponents. Reminiscent at times of Lionel Messi, he has even been compared with the great Johan Cruyff. Tottenham Hotspur FC fans will be watching their new signing with particular interest.

João Moutinho, 21, Portugal
João Moutinho has been around longer than his age suggests. He made his debut at Sporting Clube de Portugal at 18 and had already played 100 times for the club by the time he was 20. A versatile midfielder who is happy in both defensive or attacking roles, he first played for Portugal three years ago, and is now becoming increasingly influential in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s plans.

David Silva, 22, Spain
David Silva may be slight of frame but his fearless attitude and quick feet make him a handful for any defence. Known for his dashes up the left touchline to deliver a dangerous cross, the Valencia CF player is also capable of drifting infield to provide assistance to his attackers. Represented Spain at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup where he scored four goals.

Vassilis Torosidis, 22, Greece
Torosidis will celebrate his 23rd birthday on 10 June, when Greece kick off the defence of their title against Sweden. Nominally a right -back, he plays on the left for his country but is comfortable anywhere across the back line or even as a defensive midfielder. His rise has been rapid since he swapped Skoda Xanthi FC for CFP Olympiacos in January 2007 and his performances in the UEFA Champions League have drawn admiring glances from some of Europe’s leading clubs.

www.uefa.com

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I know most of names in the list. I predict Benzema will fire with France through the championship. Else to wait is Modric who just joined Tottenham in the English Premier League and Gomez from VfB Stuttgart who from roumors is aiming by big clubs like FC Barcelona and AC Milan. Another name which is already first team reguler for their clubs is David Silva and Alberto Aquilani. Both is a good player with skills and determination. The rest, they just might slip up the previous candidates and steal attention from scouts. Hopefully, they also retain the same level as those favourites.

Well, time to wake up all night long is about to begin. I just can’t wait to get started.