EURO 2016: Stand out players of each group

With the first phase of Euro 2016 over, we now have our final sixteen teams who are set to do battle. There have been some surprise results along the way, and some players have stepped up to the plate when those around them couldn't. Total Sport takes a look...

Group A: France, Switzerland, Albania, Romania

Dimitri Payet (FRA)

The West Ham man has been a revelation so far this tournament, a shining light in what has at times been a very lacklustre affair. Clinching a vital winning goal at the death in the tournament's opening fixture, Payet has been the main man for Les Blues ever since. A last 16 show down with a resurgent Ireland now awaits, and the host nation will be requiring Payet to fire on all cylinders.

Granit Xhaka (SWI)

Like Payet, Xhaka took to group A like a storm and never looked back. Switzerland's dominance in the middle of the park has largely been due to Arsenal's latest recruit, who has been living up to his big name billing. 

Group B: Wales, England, Slovakia, Russia

Gareth Bale (WAL)

Up there with Payet as the man of the tournament thus far, the world's most expensive footballer has lived up to his billing, in what has been a quietly impressive Wales side. Unlike other big names in the tournament, who have been expected to rally and lead their largely superstar-void nations (here's looking at you Ronaldo) Bale has stepped up to the plate and showed exactly why he is the main man for the Red Dragon.

Joe Allen (WAL) 

A mention must go to Liverpool's Joe Allen, who has been picking up man of the match accolades despite the dominance of Bale. Allen has been a cool, tactical head at the heart of the Welsh midfield, and stands as a key factor as to why Wales are functioning so fluidly.

Kyle Walker (ENG) 

While England's scorelines have been less than impressive, their overall team play has been solid. Earning praise for certain elements of his tactical approach, manager Roy Hodgson is being patted on the back most prominently for his attack minded full backs firing on all cyclinders. Spurs man Walker has been the epitome of this, using his relentless energy to ping back and forth down the touchline; a very useful outlet for the Three Lions so far.

Marek Hamsik (SLO)

The star man in an otherwise hard-to-name Slovakia side, Hamsik has showed exactly why he is one of the biggest names in Serie A. Despite getting off to a struggling start against the Welsh, Hamsik came to life against Russia, controlling the game and settling with a brilliant goal and an assist.

Group C: Germany, Poland, Northern Ireland, Ukraine

Toni Kroos (GER)

Kroos made more passes against Northern Ireland (121) than the entire Northern Ireland team put together (110). He has completely controlled all three games so far, sets the rhythm and tempo of Germany's play and finds teammates with seemingly impossible long passes. Arise the new midfield maestro of the game.

Mesut Ozil (GER)

Sometimes questioned but never doubted, Mesut Ozil is what makes a good team great. Elite football is often about small margins and Ozil gets the extra 5-10 percent out of other great players. He managed a 99% pass accuracy in the 1-0 win over Northern Ireland and spent the entire match creating clear goalscoring chances.

Lukas Fabianski (POL)

While he has been solid, the tipping of the hat to Fabianski should also be shared with his Polish defence, who have become one of the very few teams not to concede a single goal in the group stages of a European Championship. With Germany up next, the Poles will be praying Fabianski can continue to stand strong.

Group D: Croatia, Spain, Turkey, Czech Republic 

Dario Srna (CRO)

Croatia's captain and driving force, Srna has been a collosus during the tournament so far, providing a solid foundation from which the side in chequered white and red were able to go on and secure group D. This is made all the more admirable when it is considered Srna lost his father mere days after the competition began, yet his form has been commendable.

Luka Modric (CRO) 

Another big name who has stepped up when called upon. After forging his reputations as one of the best play-makers in La Liga, and world football, Modric has orchestrated the Croatian midfield with aplomb, and helped the so named dark horses of the competition to reach the final 16 of the competition. His next task shall be outplaying Cristiano Ronaldo...

Alvaro Morata (ESP)

Plenty of attention fell on Morata before the tournament, with the youngster being the only out-and-out striker in the Spanish squad. Following a successful year with Juventus, Morata continued his strong form into the Euros and now stands as one of the leading scorers in the competition. 

Group E: Italy, Belgium, Ireland, Sweden

Leonardo Bonucci (ITA)

Bonucci's 60 yard long ball over the top of the Belgium defence for Emanuele Giaccherini was perfect and the vision to see the run exceptional but his main strength - and Italy's - is in defending the goal, which he has done superbly so far. Italy are solid at the back and with Bonucci able to step out of defence and find teammates with Pirlo-esque passes, have a creative outlet in their back-line which most teams would kill for.

Kevin De Bruyne (BEL)

When played centrally De Bruyne and Belgium look like they can beat anyone. The Manchester City man was wasted out wide against Italy, and manager Wilmots paid the price for doing so. De Bruyne is the glue which binds this highly promising Belgium side together, and he will be hoping his strong form extends into the latter stages of the competition.

Robbie Brady (ROI)

Brady's late strike for the Ireland secured a shock victory over the Italians and set up a sweet encounter with France in the last sixteen of the competition. The men in green were visibly moved, though the hard work has just begun. Now Brady needs to follow up on his work.

Group F: Hungary, Iceland, Portugal, Austria

Balázs Dzsudzsák (HUN)

Surprising everybody and taking the group by the storm, Hungary have to give a large portion of thanks to talisman Dzsudsak for his commanding performances, particularly against group favourites Portugal. Pulling together to become worth more than their individual parts, Hungary and Dzsudzak may not yet have finished writing the history books.

Zoltan Gera (HUN)

The household name of Hungarian football, predominantly because of his many years spent in the Premier League, Gera has been pulling the strings for Hungary and generally bringing all of his experience to the fore. Though further progression seems unlikely, it is guaranteed Gera will be putting everything on the line in the upcoming clash against Belgium.

Gylfi Sigurdsson (ICE)

Minnows Iceland have been another success story thrown up by Euro 2016, and Sigurdsson.. along with many other 'ssons' have been instrumental in making this happen. The tournament so far seems to have been the stage for the playmaker to excel, and the Swansea man has done just that. England up next for Sigurdsson.