Stars of tomorrow shine today

The UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Luxembourg, won yesterday by Russia, saw the usual parade of talented individuals shining on the international stage for the first time. There are plenty to choose from, but uefa.com puts forward eleven to monitor.

Evgeni Pomazan, Russia
There were several top-class goalkeepers in this tournament - Germany's Ron-Robert Zieler, Spain's Sergio Asenjo, the Czech Republic's Marek Štech - but Pomazan's heroics against Hungary in Russia's opener and versus Germany in the semi-finals ensured his team were still in those games to score late winners. And then there was his save in the final penalty shoot-out…

Sergey Morozov, Russia
At 1.90m, defender Morozov is the tallest player in the senior FC Torpedo Moskva squad, but it is not only height that he has going for him. Still, it came in handy late in Russia's opening game against Hungary as he headed a crucial winner. Czech defenders Ondřej Mazuch and Jan Polák had a similar maturity.

Axel Witsel, Belgium
The defensive midfielder overcame his team's slow start to play a useful role in the draw with Serbia and Montenegro - a game Belgium were unfortunate not to win. A busy, physical presence.

Darko Karadžić, Serbia and Montenegro
Serbia and Montenegro would have been out even before their final group game had Karadžić not claimed a last-gasp equaliser against Belgium. It was a disappointing campaign for Sasa Medin's team with key players unavailable or off-form but Karadžić's goal provided one highlight.

Lars & Sven Bender, Germany
Toni Kroos was the playmaker in the German midfield, but to operate he needed the help of the Bender twins. Their intuition ensured that when one was racing forward, the other was tracking back, and they each did plenty of both.

Miralem Pjanic, Luxembourg
The hosts began with a 7-1 defeat by Spain, but in that game FC Metz midfielder Pjanic struck the only goal against Spain in the group stage and threatened against both Hungary and Russia. Luxembourg need professionals in Europe's top leagues, Pjanic has the promise to be one.

Bojan Krkić, Spain
Krkić was the sensation of the tournament. Only 15, the FC Barcelona prospect was used as a half-time substitute in all Spain's group games and the third-place match, and scored five goals. Skill, pace, enthusiasm; Krkić has the lot, and has many years to acquire the physical stature needed to become the complete player.

Tomáš Necid, Czech Republic
Four of the Czechs' five group goals came from Necid, including the stunner that opened their account against Serbia and Montenegro. But he is more than just a finisher; he held the ball up and linked with midfield, and despite illness came off the bench to equalise in the final, and convert in the shoot-out.

Manuel Fischer, Germany
Fischer's total of 13 goals in the U17 Championship this season including qualifying is a record, and in the finals he was joint-top scorer with Necid and Krkić. He claimed hat-tricks in both qualifying rounds and in the group stage here against Serbia and Montenegro. He has a knack of scoring at a vital time, the best asset a striker can have. It did help having service from Marko Marin and Kroos, of course.

Krisztián Németh, Hungary
Ably supported by Vladimir Koman and Ádám Dudás, Nemeth had a frustrating opening day against Russia but then proved his worth against hosts Luxembourg, scoring two goals and making one in quick succession. Hungary played an exciting brand of football, not just geared to results at all costs. Nemeth epitomised this perfectly.