Euro 2016: Thumbs up to Dimitri Payet, Wayne Rooney and Gareth Bale, but Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane are really struggling
SunSport guide to the players who are blowing very hot at Euro 2016...and those who have definitely caught a heavy cold
EURO 2016 has already thrown up some memorable highs and lows.
It's been a tough, tense tournament with some truly eye-catching goals and match-winning performances.
Here, SunSport picks the best of the good - and the bad - of the action so far:
HIGHS
Dimitri Payet
THE Frenchman is fast becoming his country's pin-up boy.
His injury time goal against Albania on Wednesday may not have been quite as important as his strike against Romania, but his beaming face is set to become a defining image of the tournament.
West Ham fans have long backed the midfielder's class: Payet's importance to the host nation is now very clear to everyone.
Granit Xhaka
ARSENAL new boy Granit Xhaka has really impressed for Switzerland.
Xhaka, who joined the Gunners for a fee of around £30million last month, is already leading the way in several statistical categories.
The 23-year-old had had made the most passes after the first round of fixtures and was in fine form again against Romania on Wednesday.
Wayne Rooney
SKIPPER Rooney, playing in midfield, has displayed all the know-how, craft and character that Roy Hodgson was expecting from him.
He's yet to score but the Manchester United star is the glue holding everything that's good about England together.
His energy, tackling-back and range of passing has been terrific. Long may it continue.
Kyle Walker
TALK about full backs marauding forward...well, let's start with Walker.
The Tottenham man's positive play from fullback has been a key part of England impressive performances so far.
Against Russia he made with more dribbles (eight) than any other player and took on Wales whenever he could, too.
Gareth Bale
TWO phenomenal free kicks brought goals against Slovakia and England, and rubber-stamped what a world class striker of the ball this boy truly is.
Is flying the Wales flag perfectly off the pitch - for a man of few words he has grown in stature and has been cleverly 'bigging up' a small nation with some well chosen digs and puns.
Chris Coleman would like to see Bale on the ball more against Russia - if so, or if he slams home another set piece, the Dragons could be breathing lots more fire on the Euros.
Related Stories
LOWS
Raheem Sterling
UNFORTUNATELY the self-styled ‘Hated One’ played the pantomime villain role to perfection against Wales.
The £49million Manchester City player blew a golden chance early on and then messed up just about everything else before being taken off at half-time.
He simply has looked the part and is unlikely to get another chance unless injuries or late substitutions are part of the scenario.
Paul Pogba
HAS quite simply been unable to produce the form that set Juventus buzzing all season.
A little improved after coming on in the second half against Albania, but still not quite there.
And life got a little trickier when Pogba was forced to reject reports that he directed an obscene gesture toward journalists during his side's 2-0 win.
Harry Kane
HAPPILY Kane was relieved of corner-taking duty after wasting virtually every one against Russia.
Started brightly against Wales, holding up the ball well and bringing in others. but soon faded badly and was taken off.
The Spurs man will be hurting now as Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge came on to score the goals that kick-started England's campaign.
Robert Lewandowski
THE Bayern Munich striker is considered among the finest in the world but has not scored in Poland's two games.
There has been talk that he would actually be a liability entering the final group stage game against Ukraine.
Needs to play a bigger role dragging defenders out of place and creating room for teammates.
Thomas Muller
Amazingly, the German maestro has now not scored or even made an assists in seven European finals games.
That's opposed to scintillating World Cup form.
Muller has so far escaped criticism from a broader audience after managing just one shot in two games, and failing to spark in the goalless draw with Poland.
