After each round of Euro 2012 matches, we will publish our pick of the top performers.
We begin with the leading lights from the opening eight matches, with nine countries represented.
We have old stagers like Pirlo and Shevchenko, the fresh blood of Dzagoev and Hummels; global superstars Sneijder and Iniesta, and journeymen Poulsen and Debuchy.
Goalkeeper - Gianluigi Buffon (Italy) - Expert rating 7, User rating 7.6
A strangely forgotten man, Buffon rarely enters 'best in the world' chats these days. But he outshone Spain's Iker Casillas and earned the Azzurri a point with a commanding display. He has been in the Italy team 15 years, and is still only 34.
Right-back - Mathieu Debuchy (France) - Expert rating 8, User rating 5.9
Perhaps the least-heralded member of France's starting XI, Debuchy has benefited from the pre-tournament injury to Bacary Sagna. Yet he proved a constant menace to England. He attacked relentlessly, delivered quality from the right flank, and looked generally sure-footed in defence.
Centre-back - Mats Hummels (Germany) - Exper rating 7, User rating 7.6
In a workmanlike German victory against Portugal, Hummels was at the heart of a fine defensive display that kept the Portuguese quiet. Cristiano Ronaldo and company were kept at bay as Hummels and his back four colleagues Philipp Lahm, Holger Badstuber and Jerome Boateng kept their shape and discipline.
Centre-back - Simon Kjaer (Denmark) - Expert rating 8, User rating 6.9
Both he and central defensive colleague Daniel Agger were outstanding as the Danes defied the Netherlands in the first big shock of the tournament. Kjaer has been accused of having poor positional sense, but hardly put a foot wrong in Kharkiv.
Left-back - Simon Poulsen (Denmark) - Expert rating 7, User rating 6.7
It was his burst down the left that led to Michael Krohn-Delhi's winning goal, and the 27-year-old defended defiantly against Arjen Robben and the Dutch onslaught.
Central midfield - Andrea Pirlo (Italy) - Expert rating 7, User rating 7.1
Fresh from guiding Juventus to an unbeaten season in Serie A, Pirlo brought his exceptional form to Gdansk for the 1-1 draw against Spain. He assisted Antonio Di Natale's goal, and ran the show from the centre of the park.
Central midfield - Luka Modric (Croatia) - Expert rating 7, User rating 7.1
The one thing Ireland don't do, apparently, is concede goals. They do when Modric is pulling the strings in midfield. The slick-passing Tottenham man showed just why he is in such high demand with a masterful display. His colleagues Darijo Srna and Mario Mandzukic were unlucky not to make the team of the round.
Attacking midfield - Andres Iniesta (Spain) - Expert rating 7, User rating 7.3
Spain's striker-less formation basically featured six central midfielders, and while the experiment did not quite work against Italy, Iniesta was the man who stood out. It is a sign of his menace that three of the four Italian bookings were for crude fouls on the Spanish star man.
Attacking midfield - Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands) - Expert rating 7, User rating 6.3
They might have lost to Denmark, but Sneijder cannot be blamed for Robin van Persie's profligate finishing. His technique and vision were consistently excellent, and at times breathtaking. His through ball to Van Persie with the outside of his right boot was absolutely stunning.
Attacking midfield - Alan Dzagoev (Russia) - Expert rating 8, User rating 8.4
Russia emerged as the most emphatic winners in the opening round of games, thanks in large part to the excellent Dzagoev, who scored twice - the second an absolutely blistering strike. The 21-year-old has a big future, and CSKA Moscow may struggle to hold onto him.
Striker - Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine) - Expert rating 8, User rating 9.0
You never forget how to score goals. Unless you're playing for Chelsea. Shevchenko only narrowly made the Ukraine squad, but fully justified his selection by Oleg Blokhin with two expertly-taken headers. The 35-year-old has enhanced his 'national hero' status by handing Ukraine victory in their first European Championship match.
Andres Iniesta and Andrea Pirlo