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Small Teams' Stars Who Led Their Nations to Major Tournament Debut

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Several small teams’ star players made significants contributions to their countries' historic major tournament debuts.

Making a debut in a major tournament, whether continental or international, is a significant milestone in national team development. It does not only showcase their team's progress, but also demonstrates their ability to compete at the highest level.

Qualifying at the major competition might be easier for the established team but not for the minnows. They only have their one or two star players to count on for reaching that stage. Some of them might have contributed so heavily that they seemed to carry the whole team on their own, while others have been lucky enough to get help from a strong team.

Napoli’s Kvicha Kvaratshelia is the most current example of the latter. He did not have to carry Georgia on his shoulder alone to seal one spot in their first major tournament, EURO 2024 next summer, after thumping Greece on penalties last Tuesday, March 26th. Georgia also have Valencia goalie, Giorgi Mamardashvili as their key man.

The winger nicknamed Kvaradona does not have to wait for long to experience his first major international competition after his breakout. He just helped Il Partenopei clinching their first Serie A title in 33 years last year.

While some top players were able to help their country make their first major competition debut relatively immediately, others had to work harder than anticipated. Ukraine's Andry Shevchenko was the most prominent example. He began to emerge in the late 1990s, with Dynamo Kiev when they dismantled Barcelona 4-0 in Camp Nou in UCL 1997 and reached UCL semifinal two years later. He even won it with AC Milan in 2003. Nonetheless, Sheva only led Ukraine to their major tournament debut in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, when he was no longer in his peak. Here are the former stars players who helped their country their debut in major competition during their prime years.

Teemu Pukki (Finland)

The former Norwich City frontman was the key figure in Finland’s success to make their major tournament debut in EURO 2020. Pukki is Finland’s all-time leading top scorer with 40 goals in 120 caps. He rose to prominence after leading Norwich to promotion in the 2018/19 and 2020/21 seasons, having won the Championship's top scorer award with 29 goals in the former campaign. His tally decreased in his Premier League season debut as he only contributed 11 goals and three assist.

Pukki remained lethal in the international fixtures. He scored 10 goals in 10 games of EURO 2020 qualifiers eventually helped Finland qualify to their first ever major competition, including a brace to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 and a winning goal from a penalty spot while thumping Greece 1-0. Finland qualified as a runner up accompanying the eventual champions, Italy.

Unfortunately, in the final round, the current Minnesota United man failed to score a single goal. His team did pick up a narrow 1-0 win over Denmark at the opener but suffered defeats in the remaining two matches versus Russia and Belgium.

Pukki’s notable individual awards:

-          EFL Championship Top Scorer: 2018/19

-          EFL Championship Best Player: 2018/19

-          Finnish Player of the Year: 2019, 2020.

-          EPL Player of the Month: August 2019.

Edin Dzeko (Bosnia & Herzegovina)

The current Fenerbahce man is Bosnia’s football hero. He has been the key man in the team since his international debut. Dzeko also led Bosnia and Herzegovina make their major tournament debut in 2014 FIFA WorldCup.

His name emerged at the top level when he brought Wolfsburg to win their first Bundesliga in 2009 and won Bundesliga top scorer award a year later. He later joined Manchester City and was part of the side that won their first EPL title in over 40 years in 2012.

In 2014 World Cup qualifiers, Bosnia was lucky enough to be seeded with no elite sides. Being grouped with Greece, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania and Lichtenstein, Dzeko and Co qualified automatically as a group leader. The former Roma and Inter frontman netted 10 times plus provided six assists in the process. In the final round, he still managed to score one while Bosnia won 3-1 over Iran at the group stage, although they could not go through to the round of 16.

Dzeko’s notable individual awards:

-          Bundesliga Top Scorer: 2009/10

-          Serie A Top Scorer: 2016/17

-          Europa League Top Scorer: 2016/17

-          DFB Pokal Top Scorer: 2008/09

-          Bosnian Player of the Year: 2009, 2010, 2012

Zlatko Zahovic (Slovenia)

He was the most famous Slovenian footballers in late 1990s and early 2000s. Zahovic stole the spotlight after his stellar performance in FC Porto and Olympiakos. His goal scoring prowess significantly helped his country to make their major international debut in EURO 2000.

Zahovic’s contribution during the qualifiers was remarkable, with nine goals in his tally, including a brace against Greece which forced them to share spoils, plus one goal against Ukraine in the playoff. In Netherlands-Belgium, he demonstrated his eye for goals too by contributing three goals and one assist in the first two games versus Yugoslavia and Spain. Unfortunately, Slovenia headed to exit without a single win.

The former Valencia and Benfica man also helped his country qualify for its first World Cup two years later. However, his notorious clashes with his boss tarnished his reputation. He was even sent home after the opener in Japan-Korea 2002 due to a disagreement with the manager, Srecko Katanec.  

Marek Hamsik (Slovakia)

He is one of Napoli’s notable players in history and Slovakian’s key figure in their emergence in the major tournament. He rose to stardom when he joined Napoli in late 2000s and helped Slovakia make their international competition debut in 2010 FIFA World Cup. His contribution as a midfielder was incredible. At the age of 23, he demonstrated his leadership and playmaking abilities for the debutante.

In the qualifiers, he registered two goals and two assists. Both of his goals came in crucial games while thumping Northern Ireland 2-1 and mustering a 2-2 draw against Czechia. Meanwhile, his assist led to a winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Poland.

In South Africa 2010, he had already been named the captain and guided Slovakia to advance to the round of 16 in their debut. Hamsik even helped his team beat the reigning Champions Italy 3-2 in the final game of the group stage. The former Trabzonspor man carried on his incredible form as he led his country to qualify in EURO 2016 and 2020 respectively before hanging his boots.

Hamsik’s notable individual awards:

-          Serie A Young Player of the Year: 2009

-          Serie A Top Assists Provider: 2013 and 2014

-          Slovak Player of the Year: 2009, 2010, 2013-2018

Gylfi Sigurdsson (Iceland)

He was considered Iceland’s most promising talent in his peak years. Sigurdsson became well-known during his first spell in Swansea followed by his stint in Tottenham and the return to the Welsh side in 2014. He joined Everton afterwards and stayed with the Toffees until 2022 when he stumbled to the allegation on the inappropriate act against a minor victim.

During his prime, the 34-year-old attacking midfielder helped Iceland qualify to their first major international competition, EURO 2016. Sigurdsson notched six goals and one assist in the qualifiers, including winning goals while crushing Netherlands 2-0 and 1-0 respectively in both fixtures, and one goal in a 3-0 victory over Turkey.

In the final round, he also registered one goal against Hungary and one assist in a 5-2 defeat from the host France at the quarterfinals. Prior to their loss, Iceland managed to hold Portugal in a 1-1 draw at the opener and saw off England in the round of 16. The former Hoffenheim man also brought his country to seal one spot in 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Sigurdsson’s notable individual awards:

-          EPL Player of the Month: March 2012

-          Icelandic Player of the Year: 2010, 2012-2019


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