New Delhi: The UEFA Euro 2024 has come to a close after an enthralling month of action where 24 teams competed to be crowned champions of Europe. Eventually, it was Luis de la Fuente’s Spain that were crowned the winners after overcoming a resilient England side in the final of UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany.
Apart from the two finalists, we saw plenty of thrilling performances from underdogs throughout the tournament while there was also a return to form for a few national teams that were due for a good campaign for a long time. Hosts Germany were unlucky to be eliminated at the quarterfinal stage by eventual winners Spain but this was the first time they made it this deep in any major International tournament since reaching the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2016.
Ronald Koeman led his Netherlands side to the semi-finals this time, their first semi-finals of the UEFA European Championships since 2004 but couldn’t manage to repeat the 1988 heroics. While both these sides saw a return to form, there were quite a few surprise packages in this tournament. Turkey made it to the last eight for the first time since 2008, and debutants Georgia made it out of their group which contained Turkey and Portugal.
Romania produced the shock of the group stages by finishing top of a group that had Belgium and Ukraine, while Austria managed to beat the Netherlands in the group stages to finish above Netherlands and France and win their group. All these shocks and upsets were down to some brilliant individual performances and some of these standout performances need to be recognized.
On that note, let’s dive in to find out News Nine’s team of the tournament for UEFA Euro 2024.
GK- Giorgi Mamardashivalli (Georgia)
Giorgi Mamardashvili was the best goalkeeper at UEFA Euro 2024.(Photo by Jan Fromme – firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
Georgia were making their first-ever appearance at a major tournament and they decided to show everyone that they were a side not to be taken lightly. Their performances were led from both ends of the pitch and taking care of the defensive end was Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashivalli.
The 25-year-old was one of the standout goalkeepers of the tournament, helping his side to a draw with Czechia and keeping a clean sheet in a famous 2-0 win over Portugal which secured their qualification to the knockout stages. Even though the Gerogian was always under fire from the opposition as Georgia were seen as one of the weakest teams, he made a total of 30 saves in the tournament, the most for any player in Germany.
He even earned himself a man-of-the-match award in the game against Czechia, making a whopping 10 saves in a single game. He gave a good account of himself in just four matches and this performance would surely raise his stock in the current transfer market.
RB- Jules Kounde (France)
Jules Kounde was one of France’s better players in an otherwise disappointing campaign. (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
While France didn’t have a great tournament despite making it to the semi-finals, we can’t deny that Les Blues were brilliant defensively. They conceded only three goals throughout the tournament, two of which only came in the game against Spain and Kounde was a huge part of that defense.
The Barcelona defender while not being a natural right back, played his role to perfection throughout the tournament even in an unfamiliar position. He started all of France’s games in Germany, maintaining a consistent level of performance. His defensive contributions were immense, winning more than 60% of his tackles and duels.
While Kounde couldn’t score or assist, he was a menace in the opposition box, getting 12 touches in the opposition box while also creating 11 chances for the French. He even scored a perfect penalty in the shoot-out win against Portugal in the quarterfinals.
CB- William Saliba (France)
William Saliba was one of the best defenders in Germany. (Photo by sportinfoto/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Staying with the French team, William Saliba has been the best defender throughout the campaign in Germany. He was in the heart of the resolute French defence, putting in brilliant performances against Belgium and Portugal in the knockouts while also being a rock in the draw against the Netherlands in the group stages.
The Arsenal defender was excellent with his distribution, maintaining a pass accuracy of 96.1% while also delivering 76.5% of accurate long balls for his teammates. His excellent composure on the ball is proved by the fact that he was never dispossessed whenever in possession of the ball.
He was key for Deschampas’ side in recovering the ball from the opposition, making 31 recoveries for his team and was on hand to prevent attacks from the opposition, completing 17 of his 25 clearances. While he couldn’t take his team to the final, he gave it his all.
CB- John Stones (England)
John Stones loses a second successive UEFA Euro final for England. (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Moving from one defender who tried his all to be in the final, to one who made it to one, England’s John Stones was a key member of Gareth Southgate’s side throughout the tournament. Without the ever-present Harry Maguire, Stones was handed the responsibility of being the leader alongside a younger defensive partner.
Like his defensive partner in the team of the tournament, he was also extremely good with the ball at his feet. His distribution was excellent, maintaining almost a 94% passing accuracy by completing 525 passes throughout his time in Germany. And just like Saliba, Stones was also never dispossessed when handling the ball at his feet.
His defensive contributions were vital to England’s second successive UEFA Euro final appearance, winning over 70% of his tackles, while winning almost 70% of his aerial and ground duels. His partnership with Marc Guehi was instrumental in England’s campaign.
LB- Ferdi Kardioglu (Turkey)
Ferdi Kadioglu was one of the most underrated players at this tournament. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
The Turkish left-back was one of the most underrated players for the Turkish National Team’s run to the last eight. He was an integral part of the Turkish side, helping them reach the knockout stages for the first time in 16 years, starting in all of their five games.
The Fenerbahce left-back always put in consistent performances for the Turks, contributing in attack and in defence for his side. He created 12 chances for his team in the campaign while maintaining a healthy 87% pass accuracy for his team. Kardioglu was extremely important in drawing fouls from the opposition as he won 8 fouls for his side, the most of any Turkish defender.
Even his defensive numbers were excellent for Vincenzo Montella’s men as showcased by his 66% win percentage of his tackles and duels. He was also responsible for 25 of his team’s recoveries while he was only dribbled past thrice in all of his 450 minutes in Germany.
CDM- Rodri (Spain)
Rodri was named the Player of the Tournament for UEFA Euro 2024. (Photo by Oliver Hardt – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
The Spanish vice-captain has been excellent for Luis de la Fuente’s men in their run to the continental glory. He was instrumental in breaking down the opposition attack, allowing his side to not be exposed on the counter. He started all but one of Spain’s games, only being rested for Spain’s game against Albania.
He’s always known for his banger goals, and we were treated to a full display of that in the game against Georgia where he scored from the edge of the box, bringing his side back in the game after falling behind. Rodri’s been a destroyer of attacks for Spain and his inclusion in the team has been the key to their success.
His defensive numbers have been great for La Roja, making 41 recoveries for his side throughout the tournament and doing so six times in the final third. He was also a great distributor for Spain, maintaining an almost 94% passing accuracy, while also completing 81% of his long balls.
His performances for the champions helped him win the Player of the Tournament award, adding another feather to his cap.
CM- Kobbie Mainoo (England)
Kobbie Mainoo was England’s breakout star in Germany. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Kobbie Mainoo has been the breakthrough performer for England, adding a much-needed balance to the English squad which they were lacking before his inclusion in the team. The youngster had an amazing time in Germany, dictating the midfield alongside Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice.
He’s won 62.5% of the tackles he’s attempted and 57.7% of the duels he’s had against other players and was only dispossessed twice in the tournament in all of his appearances. Mainoo has also managed to match his midfielder partner, in some areas and his game time in comparison to Rice has been much less.
His defensive contributions have helped England out on numerous occasions and has completed six interceptions and contributed to four blocks throughout. After shining for United in the club season, he did the same for England at UEFA Euro 2024.
RW- Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Lamine Yamal ruled this year’s UEFA European Championships (Photo by Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty Images)
The boy who’s been making the headlines ever since the tournament started, Lamine Yamal had to be a part of this team after the displays he put in for his national team. The record books love this boy, just as the footballing world does as well. His partnership with Nico Williams was instrumental in Spain’s winning streak.
After becoming the youngest player in the history of the European championships, his goal against France also made him the youngest player to ever score in UEFA Euro history as well. He’s been the key man for Spain’s attacks, creating 19 chances for La Roja, taking 33 touches in the opposition half while also drawing 6 fouls.
In addition to his goal against France, he also chipped in with four assists including the assist for the opening goal in the final, the most by any player in the tournament as he lit the tournament up on fire. His performances also won him the Young Player of the Tournament award.
CAM- Dani Olmo (Spain)
Dani Olmo was one of the Golden Boot winners of this tournament (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)
A surprise inclusion in Spain’s starting lineup, owing to Pedri’s injury in the quarterfinal against Germany, Olmo took his chance with both hands and ruled Spain’s attacking threat. He starred in Spain’s huge win over hosts Germany in the quarterfinals and was a mainstay in the lineup ever since.
In just three starts for La Roja, the RB Leipzig man has contributed to five goals in Germany with three goals and two assists. He’s been a clutch player for the Spanish team as two of his goals have come in the quarters and semi-finals while he also assisted the winner against Germany.
Apart from his contributions, he’s also created 11 chances for Spain while taking 23 touches in the opposition box and has completed 73.7% of his dribbles. One of the most under-appreciated attackers for Spain at the UEFA Euro 2024.
LW- Jamal Musiala (Germany)
Jamal Musiala was Germany’s top scorer at the UEFA Euro 2024. (Photo by Mika Volkmann/Getty Images)
The sole representative from the host nation, Jamal Musiala was Germany’s best player at the European championships. Linking up with fellow attackers Kai Havertz and Florian Wirtz, he was a menace for the opposition whenever he was on the field. The youngster ended the tournament as his country’s top scorer at the tournament.
Along with three goals in the tournament, he also got 28 touches in the opposition box and created five chances for his side throughout his stay in the tournament. He maintained an almost 90% pass accuracy and also won 13 fouls for his side showing composure beyond his age.
Musiala was expected to light the stage on fire and he did exactly that for Julien Nagelsmann’s men and was unfortunate enough to miss out on a deserved final appearance.
ST- Georges Mikautadze (Georgia)
Georges Mikautadze was one of the best strikers at UEFA Euro 2024.(Photo by Jürgen Fromme – firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
A virtual unknown to the wider base of footballing fans before the UEFA European Championships started, Georges Mikautadze made sure to leave his mark on the tournament in Gerogia’s short stay in the tournament. Marking his first appearance in the tournament against Turkey with a goal, he was the only player to score a goal in all games of the group stages.
He scored thrice in his four games and even ended the group stages as the undisputed top scorer of the tournament. Three goals and an assist in four games was an exceptional return for the Georgian and he even starred in their famous win over Portugal.
A goal and an assist in the win against Portugal helped his side to qualify for the knockout stages in their debut campaign. His amazing performances have even earned him a move to AS Monaco and he truly made his opportunity count in Germany.
A month long tournament filled with skills and thrills has finally ended as Spain overcame England in a thrilling final. With the tournament now in the history books let’s dive in to find out News9’s team of the tournament for UEFA Euro 2024. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
