European Under-21 Championship: the players to watch out for – in pictures

Spain: Isco A 21-year-old attacking midfielder, Málaga's Isco operates alongside Barcelona's similarly vaunted Thiago Alcântara in a formidably talented Spain side. Tipped by some to follow his old manager Manuel Pellegrini from Málaga to Manchester City, Isco is a product of Valencia's youth system and has been watched by most of Europe's leading clubs Photograph: Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images

Norway: Havard Nordtveit A defensive midfielder blessed with superb tacking technique, Nordtveit excels at breaking up opponents' play. Now 22 years old, the 6ft 2in enforcer spent three years at Arsenal without convincing Arsène Wenger he had a first team future but he is now a Bundesliga star at Borussia Mönchengladbach. He is integral to Norway's hopes of progression beyond the group stages Photograph: Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images

Holland: Jordy Clasie: Feyenoord's 21-year-old midfielder has been dubbed "the Dutch Xavi". Only 5ft 7in he was initially dubbed "too small and weak" for top level footballer but shone last season when he was watched by, among others, Manchester United, Arsenal and Spurs. Superb positioning and supreme creativity set Clasie apart. He combines well with PSV Eindhoven's Kevin Strootman, also a target for Manchester United. Also watch out for his interchanges with Feyenoord team-mate Bruno Martins Indi. A left footed, Portuguese born centre-half or left-back, Martins Indi looks a great defender in the making Photograph: VI-Images/VI-Images via Getty Images

Russia: Alan Dzagoev A senior international – indeed he was joint top scorer at Euro 2012 – the 22-year-old CSKA Moscow attacking midfielder has been drafted into this tournament in an attempt to propel Russia to victory. A clever footballer, he is brilliant at operating between the lines. Dzagoev is also a fine finisher reputedly much admired at Tottenham
Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

Italy: Lorenzo Insigne At only 5ft 4in the 22-year-old Napoli forward is well accustomed to being dubbed diminutive. A deep lying second striker and unerring finisher, he possesses stellar positional sense and his insidious movement and low centre of gravity makes life difficult for defenders. Insigne revels in showing off his enviably adhesive control while dribbling at defenders Photograph: Elisabetta Baracchi/EPA

Israel: Omri AltmanA 19-year-old forward, Fulham's Altman, who can also operate as an attacking midfielder, is the only member of his country's squad to earn his living playing for a club outside Israel. He is aiming to use the tournament as a springboard to help him break into Martin Jol's first-team next season. More immediately, Altman will hope to benefit from Eyal Golasa's excellent passing. A senior Israel international, the strong, skilful Maccabi Haifa playmaker has previously come close to joining Lazio Photograph: Joe Giddens/EMPICS Sport

Germany: Lewis HoltbyMuch of Germany's play goes through the Tottenham midfielder with the unshowy but highly effective short passing game. Strong on possession retention and tackling, Holtby hopes to shine before truly establishing himself at White Hart Lane next season. The son of a former British soldier, he also wants to prove that leaving Schalke last January was not the mistake many in the Bundesliga have deemed it to be. Not the world's speediest or most powerful midfielder, but extremely important to Germany Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images

England:Wilfried Zaha The 20-year-old Ivory Coast-born Manchester United forward is struggling with an ankle injury which Stuart Pearce must be hoping he can shake off. Potentially vital to England's chances, Zaha helped sweep Crystal Palace into the Premier League after being loaned back to the Selhurst Park club following a £15m transfer to United last January. Whether operating wide or in the hole, Zaha is one of those rare players who can be relied upon to both score and create goals Photograph: Ian Walton/Getty Images