We have already brought you our list of the 16 stars to watch at this year’s Women’s European Championship, but now it is time to look at which young talents are destined to light up the Euros in England this summer.
Every tournament, you can almost guarantee a young, up and coming and previously unknown quantity will shine on the big stage and, as it so often is, the rest is history.
Scotland may not have qualified this time, however, enthusiasm for the Women’s Euro 2022 tournament has not been dampened, with a number games sold out months before the tournament had even got underway.
Women's Euro 2022: How to get tickets, when does it begin, host stadiums Group A guide: England, Norway, Northern Ireland, Austria Group B guide: Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland Group C guide: Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, Switzerland
Much like the Women’s World Cup in 2019, Euro 2022 in England is expected to push the coverage and interest in the women’s game on to the next level, as the sport continues its sharp rise in popularity.
But, if you’re new to women’s football, it can sometimes be tough to know which players and teams to look out for.
And with many families hoping to take in as much of the action as possible at Euro 2022, plenty are pondering which games will offer you a glimpse of the best players.
So, without further delay, we give you our list of the 12 best players aged 21 or under to catch at for at this summer’s tournament before the become superstars.
5. Lena Oberdorf - Germany
The Wolfsburg midfielder is well known to women's football fans as one of the best midfielders in Europe. Imposing, excellent and breaking up play and more than capable of stamping her authority on a game, it's hard to believe she is still just 20-years-old. Won the UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship 'golden player' award in 2017, aged just 15. Described as "the jewel at the heart of German football." Photo: Alexander Hassenstein
6. Louise McDaniel - Northern Ireland
It's hard not to notice the emerging talent emanating from Northern Ireland as they enter their first major tournament. The first woman to score at Belfast's Windsor Park, Cliftonville midfielder McDaniel, 21, will be looking to shine on the big stage as Kenny Shiels' side look to make more history - and you wouldn't bet against her. She has had stints of Blackburn Rovers and Hearts, both of which were disrupted due to injury and Covid-19, so she will be looking to ensure the world sees her talents this July. Photo: Charles McQuillan
7. Esmee Brugts - Netherlands
Esmee Brugts' talents have been known on the international scene for some time. A star of the Dutch youth teams, the forward most likely would have not made the senior team had the tournament been played in 2021, as originally planned, due to being just 17-years-old. However, her outstanding form and ability to glide past players has meant the Dutch have had no chance but to include her. Photo: Lewis Storey
8. Claudia Pina - Spain
As tournament favourites, it stands to reason that Spain would have one the world's hottest young properties. Barcelona forward Claudia Pina has already won six trophies, despite just turning 20. She set the record as the youngest player to have ever played for a senior Barca team in a domestic game aged just 16 years old, and featured in the UEFA Champions League run this season which saw them make it all the way to the final. Photo: MIGUEL ROJO