GK- Iker Casillas - Lifted his third successive major trophy as Spain captain, and has gone through the knockout rounds of all 3 tournaments without conceding, also became the first international player to win 100 matches.
RB - Joao Pereira - Having only made his international debut in 2010 at the age of 26, the Portugal full-back has only just started to live up to his full potential. Valencia were relieved to seal a move for Pereira before the tournament started as the right back starred with some excellent defensive and attacking perfomnaces.
CB - Mats Hummels - A Centre back with all round ability; pace, height and composure on the ball, Hummels has formed a solid partnership with Holger Badstuber which should be the heart of the German defence for years to come.
CB - Leonardo Bonucci - A partnership formed at club level with Giorgio Chiellini, Bonucci was the lesser known of the two but averaged more interceptions and clearances than his teammate.
LB - Jordi Alba - A fee of €14m looks like it could be one of the bargains of the year for Barcelona who add another creative fullback to their ranks. Alba finished with a goal, an assist and a pass completion percentage of 91%.
RM - Vaclav Pilar - In a tournament devoid of any real breakthrough stars, the 'Czech Messi' perhaps created the biggest name for himself during the tournament. Guiding the Czech Republic to the quarter finals where he looked the only real threat against Portugal. Finished with 2 goals (50% of his team's) and sealed a £1m move to Wolfsburg to boot.
CM - Xavi - Not surprisingly Xavi finished with the best passing percentage out of any player to have played at least 3 games (92%). Put in a masterful performance in the final with two sumptuous assists.
CM - Andrea Pirlo - At times Pirlo was a one man team for the Italians, a custodian in possession and a source of creativity, finished with 2 assists and 1 goal.
CM - Steven Gerrard - The England captain lead his team through the group stages, finishing with 3 assists (joint most in the tournament), again showing why he's been one of the worlds best midfielders in the past decade
LM - Andres Iniesta - Awarded official player of the tournament by UEFA, technical director Andy Roxborough said: "Picking Iniesta as the best player of Euro 2012 sends a message about creativity, incisive football and humility."
The midfielder was Spain's attacking focal point in a team that often played without a striker and warrants his place among the greats despite no goals and only one assist.
ST - Fernando Torres - A tournament without a real exceptional striker, Torres takes his place as golden boot winner with 3 goals and 1 assist in just 189 minutes of football.
Substitutes
Gianluigi Buffon - Undisputedly the second best keeper in the World.
Joe Hart - Made the most saves in the tournament (22)
Theadore Gebre Selassie - Another attacking full back, another breakthrough star.
Phillip Lahm - Has anybody ever seen the German captain have a bad game?
Sergio Ramos - Full back turned attacking centre back, excelled in tackles, interceptions and passing.
Jakub Blaszczykowski - A goal and an assits in 3 games and also one of the most inspiring human stories.
Fabio Contreao - Finished 4th in most successful dribbles, one of the most exciting full backs in the game.
Mesut Ozil - 1 goal and 3 assists in 5 games.
Joao Moutinho - Portugal's Xavi, creative and excellent in possession.
Alan Dzaogev - Finished joint top scorer with 3 goals in 3 games.
Mario Mandzukic - 5 shots, 3 goals, sealed a move to Bayern Munich as a result.
David Silva - 2 goals and 3 assists, the only player with at least 2 of each.
Goal of the Tournament
3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Scissor kick volley into the bottom corner.
2. Jakub Blaszczykowski - The roof lifted off in Warsaw when the Poland captain fired in a bullet.
1. Mario Gomez v Holland - The most exquisite piece of skill, turn and finish.
Wooden Spoon Award
Team - Holland - No-one expected the World Cup finalists to lose every game.
Player - Phillip Mexes - Awful in every France game, warrants the worst player award.
Couple of comments:
ReplyDelete1. Iniesta did get an assist!
2. Buffon is definitely not the undisputed second best goalkeeper in the world. Maybe at his peak he was, but Hart and Neuer are both better now.
3. Gerrard was nowhere near team of the tournament, surely Ozil walks into the team ahead of him?
1. How did I miss that?!?
ReplyDelete2. Most people have him as their keeper of the tournament, still better than Hart and Neuer!
3. Maybe, but Gerrard was good in every game he played.