It felt like we were waiting an eternity for this tournament to start.
Now, all of a sudden, its in the past and confined to history forever.
Congratulations to Italy (my preview dark horses) and commiserations to England who were one penalty away from ending 55 years of hurt….
Nevertheless, the tournament itself will be deemed a success with some superb games, plenty of excitement and drama, also some excellent team and individual performances that demonstrated exactly what international tournament football is about.
Below is my 11 man team of the tournament, complete with honourable mentions…..
GOALKEEPER
Kasper Schmeichel – DENMARK
I almost bowed to popular opinion and many will probably turn their nose up at this decision, but hear me out.
I am not saying Italy’s keeper did not deserve and earn the player of the tournament. However, I feel the shoot outs is where he excelled and won it, as in most of the games he was just good without needing to be outstanding.
due to his defenders in front of him performing admirably. But Schemeichel really had to earn his money, as they struggled early due to obvious reasons, but really performed after this and saved a pen in the semi, but was unlucky with the rebound.
If we are talking stats, in the knockout stages Donnarumma faced 11 shots conceding 4 goals. Where as Schemichal faced 16 shots and conceded 3 goals with one being the penalty rebound. Other keepers worth a mention are England’s Pickford and Czech Rep’s Sommer.
RIGHT BACK
Denzel Dumfries – HOLLAND
I know this one will raise a few eyebrows and ruffle a few feathers.
But I am going by the huge impact he made in tournament from his position, although Holland went out in the last 16.
For me, he was the most impactful right back in the competition, making lung bursting runs up and down the right flank all game, causing havoc upfront, while being competent in defence with his recovery runs.
He also scored two in four games. No doubt I have to give a mention to England’s Walker who was just eased out of this and Spain’s Azpilicueta.
CENTRE BACK
Harry Maguire – ENGLAND
Probably across the board this is an inclusion nobody will argue with.
He really came of age as a leader in this tournament, with some majestic rearguard performances and a goal in the quarter finals.
He was integral in England’s clean sheet run, where in each of their group games they reduced the opponents to just one shot on goal, before toppling Germany in the last 16 and making it all the way to the final.
An easy addition which kept out a very good centre back performance from Denmark’s Kjaer.
CENTRE BACK
Giorgio Chiellini – ITALY
I had to think long and hard about this one. Although most would go for his centre back partner, who of course got the important equaliser in the final.
But before that point, I really marvelled at the Italian captain’s experience and leadership skills throughout the tournament.
As well as, his ability to stay calm in the most testing and difficult of circumstances. To add to that, I cannot overstate how much of an achievement it was for a 36 year old, to play seven games in four weeks at the highest level.
including three games of extra time in 15 days, and still perform superbly. This is why I chose him over his equally capable Italian team mate Bonucci who also deserves massive respect.
LEFT BACK
Leonardo Spinazzola – ITALY
Although in the end it didn’t hurt Italy that he was taken from them at the quarter final stage.
It hurt the tournament, as he was easily one of the most exciting players up to that point. He was like a thoroughbred racehorse up and down the left flank, causing panic to opposition defenders.
Committing players and creating goalscoring opportunities. I was very impressed by his endurance, as well as his running with and without the ball, which was a feature in Italy’s attacking play early on.
For me, he just edged out England’s Shaw who deserved to be recognised too. As well as a very decent performance from Denmark’s Maehle.
CENTRE MIDFIELD
Pedri – SPAIN
Every time I watched Spain play in this tournament, I remembered me saying “Pedri is a baller” literally in every game.
I was extremely impressed with his footballing ability, the way he dictated play, held the ball and created chances. It was no surprise he was the young player of the tournament.
His mature performances almost made you forget he is still just only 18. He was extremely influential in the heart of Spain’s midfield and was third for most distance covered. The fact that he performed at the highest level of football, at just 18, is both the most impressive and scary.
This was the reason he edged out the likes of France’s Pogba and Switzerland’s Xhaka.
CENTRE MIDFIELD
Jorginho – ITALY
This was another one where I thought long and hard about.
I had to think would he really be here if Italy didn’t get to the final? Nevertheless, Italy did and he is here.
With that said, he was a main fixture in Italy’s midfield and was ultra consistent. The stats show he was first for most distance covered, second for most passes completed, joint 1st for ball recoveries and in the top ten for most tackles.
You cant really argue with that, and this is why for me he just shaded it ahead of team mate Verratti and Denmark’s Hojbjerg.
RIGHT FORWARD
Raheem Sterling – ENGLAND
It’s not a stretch to say he carried England for most of the tournament.
He was the main spark and seemed to be responsible for creating chances and then scoring them, at least early on.
This was evident as the stats showed he completed the most dribbles in the tournament to add to his three goals. His direct running with the ball was the main feature of England’s attacks, which kept opponents guessing.
I was also impressed by his movement off the ball where he showed his attacking intelligence. He was also fifth for most distance covered. Other notable players worth a mention is Spain’s Olmo and Sweden’s Forsberg.
ATTACKING MIDFIELD CENTRE
Federico Chiesa – ITALY
When all the talk or thought was about Immobile and Insigne to create Italy’s spark, it was he who proved to have the magic wand.
He was a constant threat and thorn in the sides of opponents, with his busy, never say die running off the ball, perpetual movement, superb close control, trickery and eye for a goal.
Also showed his versatility by playing in different positions across the frontline and become somewhat of an Italian talisman in the tournament.
Other shout outs have to go to Denmark’s Dolberg and Switzerland’s Zuber.
LEFT FORWARD
Patrick Schick – CZECH REP
Some may raise a few eyebrows at this one, but to be honest, I would have put him in this just for scoring the goal of the tournament against Scotland.
However, he followed that up by scoring a few more to unexpectedly help fire his country to a major tournament quarter final.
For me, he definitely showed his worth and quality at the highest and hardest level of football. He used all his physical and athletic abilities to great effect, while showing what a real threat in front of goal he is.
He also showed great temperament and seemed to revel in the responsibility and extra pressure. There were also good performances from Switzerland’s Shaqiri and Denmark’s Damsgaard.
CENTRE FORWARD
Cristiano Ronaldo – PORTUGAL
Another decision that might be debatable for some, but for me it quite simple.
He played four games and scored five goals. This is the highest level of football and the 36 year old, who is in the twilight of his career, is still breaking records at this stage.
Although the legs are no longer the same, you couldn’t count out his experience and knowledge in front of goal, which was a sharp as ever, even at this stage of his career.
Although it was close, for me he just about edged out Belgium’s Lukaku, with a notable shout out to France’s Benzema.
