page_title: Mesut Özil
section_title: UEFA Euro 2012
hierarchical_section_title: Mesut Özil / International career / UEFA Euro 2012
caption_attribution_description: Polski: Niemiecki piłkarz Jérôme Boateng przed meczem z Ukrainą English: German football players Mario Götze, Jérôme Boateng and Mesut Özil before match against Ukraine
context_page_description: Mesut Özil is a German professional footballer who plays for Premier League club Arsenal as an attacking midfielder, but can also be deployed as a winger. He is renowned for his immaculate vision, technical skills and creativity; due to his agility, finesse and versatility as an attacking midfielder. Owing to his composure on the ball, technique and vision, his playstyle has drawn comparisons to another former midfielder great Zinedine Zidane. Ozil is also widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation.
  Özil began his senior career as a member of his hometown club Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga, departing two seasons later to join Werder Bremen for €5 million. He garnered break-out attention in the 2009-10 season, being ranked first in assists in major European and domestic competitions, with 25 which garnered him a €15 million transfer to La Liga club Real Madrid. At the club, Özil won the Copa del Rey in his first season, before registering a league high 17 assists in a league winning season.
context_section_description: Özil was one of the leading forces in Germany's qualification for UEFA Euro 2012, scoring five times during the campaign as Germany won all ten of its games to top their group. Özil also confirmed his reputation as a decisive passer, as he provided seven assists, more than any European international during Euro 2012 qualification. When asked about his country's chances at Euro 2012, Özil simply replied, "We have the potential to beat anyone and we have what it takes to win the title."
  On 29 February 2012, Özil was recognised as Germany's best international of the year for 2011 prior to kick-off at a friendly against France in Bremen. Özil's Germany were drawn with the Netherlands, Denmark and Portugal into Group B at Euro 2012, widely touted as the "Group of Death".
  Özil registered two assists, created nine chances, and claimed the Man of the Match award in Germany's 4–2 quarter-final win over Greece. He then scored Germany's only goal (a penalty) in their 2–1 loss to Italy in the semi-finals. His performance at Euro 2012 earned him two Carlsberg Man of the Match Awards. He finished the tournament as the joint-highest assist provider (3) and was named in the Team of the Tournament.
caption: Özil lining up for Germany with Mario Götze (left) and Jérôme Boateng (in the middle) prior to a match in 2011
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