Euro 2012: the best eleven so far Iker Casillas (Spain) It says a lot of Iker Casillas" ability that his contribution to Spain's progress has gone largely undetected. It usually does. It may seem at times the 31-year-old has little to do; at times, it may appear he has world football's simplest job given the amount of possession Spain enjoy. But with the score at 0-0 against Croatia, Rakitic rose unmarked at the back post and Spain's hopes rested, once more, in one man's gloves. A goalkeeper goes not have to make spectacular saves to be great. It could be argued the best do not need to make them often at all thanks to good positioning. Casillas does the little, undetected things very well; his positioning is magnificent, his command of the box impeccable, his communication and organisation of the defence unbeatable. But he also makes the spectacular saves. He did so when Arjen Robben advanced at the World Cup final; he did so again as Rakitic's header took aim, and later, when Srna took strike. It was not the best header and Srna's shot was at his near post, but they were saves that had to be made. He did so. In an ever-evolving Spanish back-line, Casillas" class is the thing that remains consistent. Notable omissions: Joe Hart (England); Manuel Neuer (Germany) Never in the squad: Shay Given (Ireland); Petr Cech (Czech Republic) Jordi Alba (Spain) In his first international tournament, Jordi Alba has done exactly what is required. With Vicente Del Bosque opting for a narrow formation - so narrow, at times, a striker is not considered a necessity - the role of the full back becomes key to keep the shape defensively and add width to the attack. In a manner similar to Daniel Alves of Barcelona, Alba has offered Spain an outlet; a ball out wide when the midfield becomes too congested. He plays in a moral traditional attacking full back role at Valencia but has adapted to this difficult, highly pressurised role at international level quickly; his use of the ball has been superb too, with a pass success ratio over 90 per cent. Unlike Arbeloa on the right-hand side, he has used the ball well, as well as helping to drag the opposition wider, allowing more space in the middle. He finally got the recognition his hard work has deserved with the vital assist against France; it was a couple of seconds to encapsulate his tournament. Wide on the left, he hassled Debuchy enough to cause a mistake, put a perfect ball across the box and watch Alonso meet it with his head. No longer is the left back position regarded as a weakness of the Spain defence, with the 23-year-old the standout performer of the back four. Mats Hummels (Germany) What must go through the mind of Bayern Munich every time this colossus strides on to the pitch for his national side? Bayern sold Hummels as a 20-year-old to Borussia Dortmund in 2009. Three years later, Dortmund have two Bundesliga titles and a cup win courtesy of a 5-2 win in the final over Hummels' former employers. To say that one transfer shifted the balance of power in German football does Jurgen Klopp and his fantastic squad a mammoth disservice - but watching Hummels in action over the group stage forces you to contemplate the notion at least. His elegance both with and without the ball is breathtaking; no defender has made more successful tackles in the tournament, nor has any centre back made as many passes per game as him. Hummels has been extremely comfortable on the ball, striding from defence and beginning another German attack, be it with the short ball to midfield or a more attractive, ambitious long ball. His ambition is not misplaced and neither are his passes - 10 of 12 attempted long balls have found its target so far, a phenomenal ratio for a centre back. His positioning and heading, too, are assets to the 23-year-old, evidenced by his performance in the opening game against the Portugal trident of Nani, Postiga and Ronaldo. Though the defence has been breached four times since, blame can not fall upon his broad shoulders. Daniel Agger (Denmark) After enjoying a relatively injury-free season at Anfield, Denmark's captain carried his fine club form into the European Championships, marshalling what proved a fairly successful summer for Denmark. It began with a surprise win against Holland; a result largely down to the imperiousness of Agger alongside Simon Kjaer. They combined well to stop 30-goal Robin van Persie making any sort of impact. Even as Denmark deteriorated over the next two games - conceding five goals to Portugal and Germany - it was in spite of Agger's efforts. While Kjaer, Simon Poulsen and Lars Jacobsen wallowed in their impending doom, Agger strode on, trying his utmost to repel Ronaldo, Nani, Postiga, Gomez, Podolski and Ozil. He made a tournament-best seven interceptions in his three games - around three clear of Emanuele Giaccherini, John Terry and Mats Hummels. It was not just his defensive work that impressed. His distribution from the back was rarely poor. Against Holland, he should an innate understanding at the importance of attempting to retain possession after going a goal to the good. His calmness and composure was an asset to them against Portugal also as they clawed back a two-goal defecit, only to lose 3-2 in the closing minutes. His efforts against the Germans were certainly not too little, but sadly for him, too late. Theodor Gebre Selassie (Czech Republic) An unknown to many casual observers before Euro 2012, Czech Republic's right back has attracted the attention of middling European clubs everywhere with a string of impressive performances for the surprise Group A winners. It did not start well for Selassie. Their 4-1 defeat to Russia on the tournament's opening night saw him struggle with the opulence of the Russian attack. He was not alone. Czech Republic coach Michael Bilek's mentality and approach was naive and did not bring the best out of Selassie, nor the nine other outfield players. That changed against Greece however; a much more mature performance from those on and off the pitch saw Czech Republic 2-0 up within six minutes, a position instigated by Selassie. His constant running from the right back position, looking to break free on the overlap, proved the catalyst to the second goal for the Greeks. His ball across the box was as delicious as the run to get him there. He then proved his worth in defence too, resisting 45 minutes of Greek attack, and then a further 90 against hosts Poland. His ability to carry the ball at pace, as well as his incredible speed to recover quickly, has earned him deserved plaudits - as well as a move to German side Werder Bremen from Czech champions Slovan Liberec. Notable omissions: Kyriakos Papadopoulos (Greece); Ashley Cole (England); Mathieu Debuchy (France) Never in the 23: Jose Holebas (Greece); Jetro Willems (Holland) Andrea Pirlo (Italy) The old man of the Old Lady has been central to everything pleasing for Cesare Prandelli's new-look Italy side. In a 3-5-2 wing-back formation, Pirlo has adopted the role of the creative midfield pivot, dictating the tempo and rhythm of the attack, as well as helping maintain shape when defending. He's also displayed dynamism to his forward play that belies his 33 years, breaking forward with the ball and expertly evading flailing legs. He set up Di Natale's goal against Spain with such a run and then scored a free-kick against Croatia, albeit with an assist from Pletikosa's poor positioning. But arguably just as vital as those direct contributions is what he has brought to an Italy team in transition: calm, nous and leadership. De Rossi's seamless move from midfielder to sweeper says as much about Pirlo as it does the Roma man. He featured in a more traditional diamond midfield in Italy's final game against Ireland, and then again against England. His man-of-the-match performance against Roy Hodgson's side was one of the best in recent memory, constantly keeping the Italians ticking. He was untouchable; peerless, not just in this game, but the entire tournament. His penalty, at a time when Italy needed it most, showed a remarkable amount of courage too. It's an entertaining Italian side he plays in, but also one of high-maintenance. With Balotelli, Cassano, Chiellini and Motta surrounding him, Pirlo is at times akin to a straightjacket, keeping the exuberant characters bound as the calming influence amongst the madness both with and without the ball. Steven Gerrard (England) It has become one of English football's most oft-repeated myths: Steven Gerrard has never produced for England in an international tournament. It ignores the fact he was too young to make an impression at Euro 2000 and was injured at World Cup 2002. His backpass against France at Euro 2004 unfairly defines his entire tournament, while few played well for England at World Cup 2006. He was also England's best player at World Cup 2010. But none of that matters any longer anyway. Steven Gerrard has been alone at times in this tournament, picking the England squad up by the scruff of the neck, throwing them over his shoulder and marching into a quarter-final with Italy. From a deeper role than he is used to a club level with Liverpool, he has exhibited the discipline and intelligence many thought deserted him in a central midfield role. He's been the ultimate illustration of a proactive captain, leading by example with his work-rate on the pitch. While Scott Parker has struggled to adapt to the pace of the game at times, Gerrard's experience has been vital to stop Roy Hodgson's game plan from unravelling. At 32-years-old and after a number of injury-hit seasons, his ability to press at the tenacity and relentlessness he does continues to confound expectation. He is just as impressive with the ball. Moving to the right-hand side at times, he has whipped in devilish balls from which both Andy Carroll and Wayne Rooney have profited. His long-range passing has been excellent, springing rapid counter-attacks as England drop deeper. His final game against Italy ended in disappointment and potential injury, going down with cramp - but that merely serves to show how much he's worked over the past two weeks. Luka Modric (Croatia) It was midway through the second half of Croatia's final group game with Spain that the world truly realised what a talent Luka Modric is. He picked up the ball on the halfway line and burst beyond Sergio Ramos. Driving down the right-hand side, he is confronted with Barcelona's Gerard Pique. He slows the game down to the speed he wants, like a conductor waving a baton; he twists inside onto his left foot but uses the outside of his right to bend the ball, left-to-right, on Rakitic's head. What happened next is out of Luka Modric's control, sadly. But whatever is in his control usually leads to splendour - and the football is usually in his control. Modric has been excellent for Spurs for years, but it was this tournament that will have persuaded Real Madrid to pay the money required for his services. He is surprisingly versatile though built like a traditional number 10, dropping deeper when required to help out with the unpleasantness of defending. His passing range, short-to-long, ranges from sublime to sumptuous. Some scoffed at the praise he received for his performance against Ireland, but few players get time in a midfield containing Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews. That is one of his best qualities: finding space in a crowded midfield and then, with a shimmy and dropped shoulder, leaving the crowds with ball at feet. He did it against Ireland, but so too against two of the best midfields in the world. The tournament is a poorer spectacle without his grace in midfield. Notable omissions: Joao Moutinho (Portugal); Sami Khedira (Germany); Igor Denisov (Russia); Ludovic Obraniak (Poland) Never in the 23: Mark van Bommel (Holland); Arjen Robben (Holland) Andres Iniesta (Spain) What a player. With each passing game, he glides towards cementing his place in this generation's upper echelon of talent almost as effortlessly as he glides past players on the pitch. Some would say he's already reached his destination. He has illuminated the tournament, even at times when his team-mates have failed to do so. As they struggled to a 1-1 draw with Italy, he was the spark; as they pounded the Irish, he was the puppeteer; as they laboured to qualification against Croatia, he was the luminary. Even in his quietest game against France, Iniesta was attractive to watch, tirelessly working to break down the defensive French set-up. From a starting position on the left-hand side, Iniesta has been undetectable at times, unplayable at others, teasing defenders with the sight of the ball before looking at them as he passes in the wing-view mirror he seems to possess. Three European Cups, a European Championship and a World Cup. The name of Andres Iniesta should not just be muttered in the same breath as the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi - it should be shouted from the rooftops. This tournament could be the one when the realisation sinks in. Alan Dzagoev (Russia) The CSKA Moscow man became one of the breakout stars of the group stage, with his movement and technique being central to Russia's free-flowing attack - especially in the first game against Czech Republic. Even when things went sour against Poland before ultimately curdling in their elimination against Greece, Dzagoev remained capable of unlocking a defence or chipping in with a goal himself. His two strikes against Czech Republic were a masterclass in anticipation and movement; so, too, his goal against Poland to silence the home support. For all three goals, he finished expertly - two with his right foot and one with his head, a surprising attribute of his given he is under six foot tall. The 22-year-old was always going to grab headlines with three goals in the opening two games, but he brought more to Russia's team than merely goals. His ability to move into space quickly and intelligently helped Russia break with pace; Dzagoev seemed to always be available as an outlet when the Russians had the ball. When he received it, he picked out runners ahead, executing Advocaat's game plan perfectly. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) Despite his arrogance and aloofness, it is hard not sympathise with Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo scored 46 La Liga goals last season, as well as a further 10 in the Champions League. But he suffers from one fatal flaw: he's not Lionel Messi. He was told that repeatedly by Denmark fans in Portugal's second group game as he toiled; first, he could only find goalkeeper Andersen after being sent clear on the left-hand side; then, 18 yards out with only the goalkeeper to beat, he placed it wide. Chances he would have undoubtedly scored in the white of Real Madrid. Then came Holland, and Czech Republic soon after; then came the Cristiano Ronaldo world football begrudgingly loves. Like a man possessed once van der Vaart opened the scoring for the Dutch, Ronaldo embarked on a mission to drag Portugal into the quarter-finals. Drifting in from the left, he took on players with pace and verve so familiar. His equaliser was two-touch stuff - one to set himself up, the second to guide it past the goalkeeper. His second was similar; he give Stekelenburg the eyes and sent him the wrong way. Three touches, two goals and one reputation saved. He was even better against Czech Republic. He led his side from the front, unwavered from going close so many times throughout the game. Ronaldo exhibited a resoluteness not seen from him in a Portugal shirt before: an overhead kick sailed wide, but he dusted himself off; a fantastic solo effort hit the post, but he remained focused; his free-kick almost broke the deadlock, but he did not moan. Instead, with 10 minutes left, he rose beautifully to head the ball down into the ground and up into the roof of the net. With Spain to come, this could yet be Ronaldo's tournament. Notable omissions: Mario Gomez (Germany); Mario Mandzukic (Croatia); Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden) Never in the 23: Karim Benzema (France); Robbie Keane (Ireland)