5 key players to watch out for in the Euro 2016 playoffs

With 20 teams already sailing through to the finals, the 8 teams remaining in contention are set to get their fates known as the playoffs for the last four remaining places for the Euro 2016 get underway this week. The ball gets rolling in the Ullevaal Stadium where Norway take on Hungary, and Bosnia & Herzegovina follow suit a day later when they welcome Republic of Ireland in Zenica. Euro 2008 co-hosts Ukraine have a date with Slovenia, whereas the final tie sees a Scandinavian derby when Sweden battle Denmark.With qualification on the line, fireworks are set to spark across Europe as the octet of teams are set to face each other at home and away over the next five days. And as the clashes approach near, we take a cursory glance at five players who are touted to play a key role in the playoffs. 

#1 Andriy Yarmolenko - Ukraine

Dynamo Kiev winger Andriy Yarmolenko will be shouldering the hopes of over 45 million Ukrainians when the Yellow-Blues tussle the Slovenians over the next two legs. The 26-year-old has been the star performer for his club and country over the years and has left some big powerhouses of Premier League yearning for his services.

Yarmolenko has accrued 20 goals in 52 appearances for his country, four of which have come in the qualifiers. And he will once again be entrusted with the task of delivering the goods in the crucial play-off rounds.

His ability to cut in from the right and shoot with his belter of a left foot is something that Slovenia will have to be wary of over the two legs. He can also be a threat from set-pieces.

Ukraine narrowly missed the 2014 World Cup when they came up against France in a similar situation despite the forward bagging a brace in the first leg. The memories of that fateful night in Paris will still be very much vivid.