Euro 2012 – Top Conteders for Golden Boot

With last year’s winner David Villa out of Euros, the championships will have a new golden boot winner. Villa scored four times for the reigning champions in Euro 2008 to win the prize, not to forget the 4 goals were scored in the first 2 group matches. Normally four or five goals are enough to win the prize. Czech’s Milan Baros won it in 2004 scoring 5 goals. So who will be Euro 2012 Top Scorer, here are some top contenders.

 
Robin Van Persie – Netherlands
The Dutch maestro will have a tough task in the group of Death with Germany, Portugal and Denmark. Still Van Persie is the man for the big games. Countless times he rescued Arsenal single handedly last season scoring more than 30 goals in all competitions. For national side, he is not that much in the limelight with players like Huntelaar, Sneijder and Robben always in the mix. Still the premier league top scorer is one of the hot favorites to finish the competition on top of the leaderboard.
Karim Benzema – France
French side may not have the prolific scorers of the past like Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet, still Benzema is currently rated amongst the best strikers in the world. France have only selected 2 out and out strikers in their squad, Olivier Giroud will be partnering the Madrid star who is favorite to start every game if not injured. Having scored 32 goals in all competitions for Madrid, Benzema may well win the golden boot in the competition if provided with brilliant service from the midfielders like Nasri and Malouda.
Mario Gomez – Germany
Over the years, Miroslav Klose has been the main man for Germany having an astonishing record of scoring 63 times in 115 games. That is more than 0.5/game average for national side. Still nearing the age of 34, Germany will consider starting Mario Gomez, 26, ahead of the veteran striker. Gomez netted 41 goals last season, 12 times in UEFA champions league but the Bayern Munich forward did not live up to the expectations in the big games last season. Nevertheless the quality support of Podolski, Muller, Schweinsteiger and Ozil can help him win the top scorers title.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Portugal
Despite being in the Group of Death having weaker team mates than he has at Real Madrid, the second best player in the world cannot be counted out of the race to win golden boot at Euro 2012. Having scored no less than 60 times last season, if unleashed the captain of Portugal can be unstoppable. He for one can stand out and bang the goals to make the difference that could ensure Portugal’s qualification in the quarter finals.
Fernando Torres – Spain
With so many top quality midfielders at disposal, Spain will probably be settling with a lone striker up front. In the absence of David Villa, that responsibility will most likely be handed to the senior striker, Fernando Torres. The Spaniard had a good last month or so but overall had a torrid season at Chelsea and perhaps will be the most surprising person on this list. Still in Spain, the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Silva, Alonso can provide him the final ball better which Lampard, Ramires and Mikel failed to do at Chelsea. Moreover, taking into consideration that Spain are the favorites, so in process of reaching the finals, Torres may end up on top of the goal scoring chart.
In your opinion who will be the top scorer at Euro 2012?
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