MY EURO2024 TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT
Congratulations to Spain, who not only won a record fourth European Championships, winning every game at the tournament, proving to be deserved winners.
They also cleaned up the individual awards, with Rodri picking up the player of the tournament award and the wonder kid, Lamine Yamal, the young player of the tournament.
I was surprised assists didn’t come into the equation on separating the top scorer award. If it did, Spain would have had a clean sweep, as Dani Olma scored three goals and had two assists.
However, he had to share the award with five other players who scored three goals. Coady Gakpa (Netherlands), Georges Mikautadze (Georgia), Harry Kane (England), Jamal Musiala (Germany), Ivan Schranz (Slovakia).
Below is my team of the tournament
Goalkeeper: Giorgi Mamardashvili. Georgia
I could have chosen one of the goalkeepers who went further than the last 16. But for me, in his four games, he was immense, with some stunning saves, one of the biggest surprises and easily a big factor in Georgia’s success at this tournament.
Runner Up: Mike Maignan. France
Right Back: Jules Kounde. France
He went largely under the radar, but the work he put down the right flank, most importantly defensively, was a site to behold. Solid as they come, when France was below par, he maintained his high standards and was rarely seen flustered or beaten.
Runner up: Joao Cancelo. Portugal
Centre Back Right: William Saliba. France
He carried his league form into this tournament and continued seamlessly. With his mature and unflappable performances against the best forwards in Europe, it’s easy to forget he is still just 23 and could still be improving.
Runner Up: Virgil Van Dijk. Netherlands
Centre Back Left: Marc Guehi. England
Playing in his first international tournament for the men’s team, although he represented England at all youth levels, he was arguably England’s best or most consistent player. Whether he played in a back two or a back three, his defensive abilities impressed.
Runner Up: Aymeric Laporte. Spain
Left Back: Marc Cucurella. Spain
I don’t think many could question this inclusion. There were many raised eyebrows, but the manager’s faith was rewarded with influential performances that surprised everyone. He also superbly assisted the winning goal in the final.
Runner Up: Nuno Mendes. Portugal
Centre Midfield Right: Rodri. Spain
There is no debating that he would be in everyone’s team. The player of the tournament oozed class throughout this tournament and was the heartbeat of the side. So much so that when he came off at halftime in the final, many thought England would win.
Runner Up: N’Golo Kante. France
Centre Midfield Left: Fabian Ruiz. Spain
Arguably, if it wasn’t for his teammate, he could have been the player of the tournament. He notched two goals and two assists in this tournament, which he graced with consistent and influential performance after influential performance.
Runner Up: Declan Rice. England
Attacking Midfield Right: Lemine Yamal. Spain
The young player of the tournament became the youngest starter at a major tournament at 16. Then youngest goalscorer at a major tournament. Now is the only player to score or assist in every knockout round and finished with the joint most goal involvements.
Runner Up: Arda Guler. Turkey
Attacking Midfield Centre: Jamal Musiala. Germany
He notched three goals in his five games to share the Golden Boot and was Germany’s main attacking threat throughout. His direct running, skill and finishing, whether from the right or drifting in the centre, wreaked havoc all tournament.
Runner Up: Cole Palmer. England
Attacking Midfield Left: Nico Williams. Spain
He was arguably the most influential attacking player in the tournament. Either cutting in on his right or getting to the byline. He scored the opening goal in the final with a fine, left-footed finish in another influential performance on the biggest stage.
Runner Up: Coady Gakpo. Netherlands
Forward: Dani Olmo. Spain
With three goals and two assists, he finished the tournament with the joint most goal involvements to a share of the Golden Boot. He played his way into the starting 11, only starting three of Spain’s seven games, including the semi-final, where he scored the winner and the final.
Runner Up: Georges Mikautadze. Georgia.
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Mamardashvili
Kounde Saliba Guehi Cucurella
Rodri Ruiz
Yamal Musiala Williams
Olmo
