As Euro 2008 draws to a close, we all have our own thoughts about who have been the stars, and who have been the flops. On the eve of the final, here are my teams of the tournament:
Best
Manager: Fatih Terim (Turkey) Ordinary players + injury problems + suspensions should equal early exit, but thanks to Terim's tactical nous and ability to bring the best from his whole squad, Turkey very nearly went all the way. Aragones or Low will get their hands on the trophy, but Terim was the star of the show.
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy) With no Cannavaro, the Italy defence did not give him much protection, but Buffon showed why he is the best in the world. He made the brilliant penalty save against Romania, and was a calming influence throughout. Italy had a poor tournament, but it could have been so much worse without Buffon.
Right Back: Aleksandr Anyukov (Russia) The Zenit star raided to great effect for the free-flowing Russians. He was quiet in a poor team display against Spain, but still the most complete right-back in the tournament.
Left Back: Yuri Zhirkov (Russia) Played as virtually a left-winger, this Ricardo Carvalho lookalike proved a class act. Skillful and quick, a constant menace to any right side of a defence.
Centre Back: Carlos Marchena (Spain) Tough tackler had a difficult season with Valencia and many were questioning his inclusion alongside Puyol, but he has grown as the tournament has gone on, and question marks over the Spanish defence have fallen away.
Centre Back: Josip Simunic (Croatia) Once famously yellow carded three times by Graham Poll, this experienced defender was the rock on which Croatia were built. Quietly and confidently went about his business.
Right Wing: Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany) Left out in the first game, and sent off in the second, Schweinsteiger didn't have the best start to Euro 2008. By the knock-out stages though he has been a key player, scoring once and setting up two more against Portugal, and finding the net again against Turkey. Can play either side.
Left Wing: David Silva (Spain) This little box of tricks is dangerous on either flank and possesses a great left-foot. At just 22 years old, the kid will be a superstar.
Holding Midfield: Marcos Senna (Spain) Born in Brazil, and obviously a fan of Dunga and Mauro Silva. He keeps it simple and possesses outstanding positioning, tackling, and passing. Without him the Spanish defence would not be nearly as secure.
Attacking Midfield: Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands) They may have bottled it as usual, but you have to have a Dutch player in your team of the tournament. Sneijder was sensational in the first two matches, including two brilliant goals.
Striker: Roman Pavlyuchenko (Russia)
9 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Dakota Rubin about 1 year ago
Really nice work here.
I don't know if I agree with all two Russian defenders in your top team after the way they got torn apart for seven goals in two games by Spain. And Villa definitely should have been in the starting 11.
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Simon Williams about 1 year ago
Fair comment about the Russian defenders Dakota, bit I feel this tournament has been about great counter-attacking, and those two have been at the forefront of attacking full-back play. Certainly I wouldn't be picking them as pure defenders.
I felt that Villa had already received enough plaudits so that is why I opted for Pavlyuchenko and Podolski instead.
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Michael Griffin about 1 year ago
very good article, agree with all really. Domeech really confused me with some of his decisions. I do agree with Villa on the bench. We've heard enough praise for him recently, but I am gutted for him that he will miss the final.
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Michael Griffin about 1 year ago
Come to think of it, this will be interesting to compare to the official squad of the tournament. They will be releasing one yes?
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Simon Williams about 1 year ago
I assume so, I think they usually do.
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Mark Cilia Vincenti about 1 year ago
Great work here. But I still think Cech has been much better for the Czechs than Lehmann's been for Germany.
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S B about 1 year ago
Sums it up.
There is an event I`d like to include in the `worst` department.
No direct free kick goals in the entire tourney. There was the indirect ball rolled to Ballack but not one direct strike in the net.
Becks is missed in Europe.
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Simon Williams about 1 year ago
It was a shame that set-pieces in the tournament generally were very poor (and poorly defended).
Even the Brazillians on show couldn't score a free-kick S :-)
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S B about 1 year ago
True but Cristiano EGO won`t let anyone hit but him. I distinctly remember a match ...can`t place the teams right now...but I remember Deco wanting to hit one and another player (not Cristiano) took the ball from him and seemed to give preference to Cristiano.
The two stood over the ball chatting and Deco just walked away. If I`m not mistaken it`s the match where Deco scored the scrambled goal. If you can somehow watch this match again ..pay attention to this little detail.
When I saw this incident I knew then that Portugal would never win (this was in the beginning).
I knew then that their team was not united. Just like Holland usually suffer (not in this cup however).
The other teams would be the same I imagine. The Brazilian would be like an outsider and just peddle his trade knowing his place ...not trying to show up anybody.
As far as I know only Deco dared and he was quickly put in his place. ...Subsequently Portugal was quickly put in their place back in Portugal watching the tourney on the telly.
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