Best goals of Euro 2012...so far

Mario Balotelli v Ireland
The eccentric Italian striker made his mark on the Euro 2012 tournament with a stunning volley against the Irish. With his back to the goal and tangling with Ireland defender John O'Shea, Super Mario was able to get his foot up to the ball and fire it past both O'Shea and hapless keeper Shay Given.

Roman Pavlyuchenko v Czech Republic
I'm sure I wasn't the only one screaming at the tele for Pavlyuchenko to pass when he took the ball along the edge of the box on the 81st minute under the watch of several Czech defenders. The Russian looked to have little option but to look for a teammate, however he kept skirting along the edge of the box before unleashing a powerful drive into the top corner to seal a 4-1 win for Russia. Selfish, but stunning.

Danny Welbeck v Sweden
Welbeck's back heel winner against Sweden was one of three brilliant goals by England in their come-from-behind Group D victory. Arsenal's Theo Walcott's cross is just behind the run of Welbeck's run towards the near post, by the 21-year-old skilfully pivots on his left foot and drags to ball past Sweden's Andreas Isaksson with the heel of his right foot. Cue English celebration.

Mario Gomez v Netherlands
Gomez scored two great goals in Germany's 2-1 win over the Netherlands, but the first one was the finer of the two. Both came from perfect Bastian Schweinsteiger passes and immaculate finishes from his Bayern teammate, however Gomez's first pips his second because of his brilliant first touch and turn before he stroked the ball past the keeper with his right foot. If Germany make the final expect Gomez to be right there in the mix for the Golden Boot.

Theo Walcott v Sweden
After leading 1-0 at half time, England were stunned by two quick Swedish goals, when the Scandinavians came out firing after the break. England looked like they had no answer to the Swedish assault, until the ball fell to Theo Walcott well outside the box after an English corner. The Arsenal winger took a touch, stepped back, and lifted the ball up and over everyone in the box, including keeper Andreas Isaksson, to equalise for England.

Robin van Persie v Germany
Robin van Persie got the ball with his back to the goal on the left wing, wrong-footed and beat his marker, raced towards the edge of the box, and fired the ball under the legs of Germany's Holger Badstuber and past keeper Manuel Neuer to give some hope to the Dutch. That hope was in vain, however the goal did show the talent the Dutch have but failed to deliver on during the disastrous Euro campaign.

Jakub Blaszczykowski v Russia
Host nation Poland would be disappointed not to qualify for the quarterfinals, but at the end of the day they struggled to score goals. Of the two shots they did manage to get in the back of the net, captain Jakub Blaszczykowski's rocket from the edge of the box against Russia was the finest.

Cesc Fabregas v Italy
Spain haven't had too much trouble finding the back of the net so far, despite playing at times without a recognised striker on the field. The pick of the bunch came from midfielder Cesc Fabregas against Italy, mainly because of the sublime pass from David Silva to put him on goal. Silva nudges the ball behind the Italian defence and Fabregas times his run perfectly and smashes the ball past Gianluigi Buffon with his left foot. The goal put Spain level with Italy, and summed up the style of football which has Spain favoured to retain their title.

Andriy Shevchenko v Sweden
Legend of Ukrainian football Andriy Shevchenko announced his retirement this week, but not before scoring two great headed goals in a 2-1 win over Sweden. The veteran striker - who is both Ukraine's youngest and oldest goal scorer - scored his first in the 55th minute, but it is second on the 61st minute which is the pick of the pair. A corner into the box looks to lack enough height to threaten the Swedish goal, until Sheva nods the ball through a tight gap at the near post, giving Ukraine the lead to the delight of the home support.

Honourable mentions:
Silvestre Valera's winner for Portugal against Denmark (once he finally managed to kick the ball), Mario Gomez's second versus Netherlands, England's Andy Carroll's header against Sweden from a great long ball from captain, Italian Antonio Di Natali's fine finish after being put through by Andrea Pirlo after a storming run against Spain (see Fabregas video), the goals from Fernando Torres, David Silva and Cesc Fabregas for Spain against Ireland, Mario Mandzukic's header from the edge of the box Croatia against Ireland, Michael Krohn-Dehli composed finish for Denmark after a bursting run into the box against the Dutch and Marko Devic's shot against England for Ukraine (goal not given). I think I've mentioned all the other goals. Oh well.