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 world’s 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 failing to record a goal or an
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
1. Mario Gomez vs
Holland
- The most exquisite piece of skill, turn and finish.
2. Jakub
Blaszczykowski vs Russia - The roof lifted off in Warsaw when the Poland captain
fired in a bullet.
3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
vs France
- Scissor kick volley into the bottom corner.
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.
By Luke Summers
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Luko_S
