Euro 2012 files: The meanest defenders

Saturday 12 May 2012 00:01 BST

Gerard Pique (Spain) With the likely absence of Barcelona captain Carles Puyol, Spain have been left with a gaping hole in their defence. The man entrusted with filling it will be his club team-mate Gerard Pique. The former Manchester United defender is regularly in the Spanish newspapers for reasons other than football, owing much to his high-profile relationship with singer Shakira, and that has impacted on his domestic season. While dropped by Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, with Puyol staying at home, that is not an option open to Spain coach Vincent del Bosque. Although it's unlikely he'd want to in any case, as Pique was pivotal in Spain's World Cup triumph and a nickname like Piquenbauer is not easily won. (GETTY IMAGES)

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Euro 2012 kicks-off in just a matter of weeks and in anticipation The Independent will be running down the key factors and people to keep an eye on in Poland and Ukraine this summer.

From free-kick takers to WAGs, blasts from the past to the youngsters, we'll have it all covered before things kick-off in Warsaw.

Here, we bring you the meanest defenders to be lining up at Euro 2012. These are the players who will be letting little past them on the fields of play in Poland and Ukraine.

Click here or click 'VIEW GALLERY' to launch our guide.

Other Euro 2012 files...

The top goalkeepers

The galacticos

The wives, girlfriends and famous faces

The top managers

The deadliest free-kick takers

The golden boot contenders