Euro 2024 has come to an end. Spain took the title of best team in Europe and England was one step away from winning for the second consecutive tournament. It’s time to take stock. Below is the symbolic team of Euro 2024 according to the “Championship”. Do you disagree with any candidate? Welcome in the comments.
Goalkeeper – Giorgi Mamardashvili, Georgia
Georgiy Mamardashvili
Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
There was probably no brighter goalkeeper at the Euros. The Valencia player clearly saved more than others: he is the leader in saves (30), and one of the best in percentage of repelled shots (78%). In terms of the number of goals saved, Mamardashvili is second only to the Spanish duo Simon-Raya (+4.1 versus +4.3), but it should be remembered that the Georgians played three fewer matches. So, if we divide this indicator by 90 minutes, the Georgian goalkeeper is the best (+1.03). If it weren’t for him, the Georgian team would have hardly been able to get out of the group.
Left centre back – Aymeric Laporte, Spain
Aymeric Laporte
Photo: David Ramos/Getty Images
The only representative of the Saudi Arabian championship in the final of Euro 2024. This is the case when a trip to the Middle East did not ruin my career, but helped me not only with finances, but also with playing practice. Laporte radiated calm and confidence throughout the tournament and practically did not make a single mistake. But he went to Germany as an alternative option in defense, the second choice after Nacho in the left center-back position. From the second round up to the final inclusive, the Al-Nasr player was sure to become a starter. The stable and clean play of a defender is the key to the confidence of the entire team. And as a result of victory.
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Centre back – Pepe, Portugal
Pepe
Photo: Getty Images/Getty Images
Pepe definitely needs to write a book on how to prepare his body for a top-level tournament at 41 years old and make the most of it. The Portuguese veteran only missed one match, and then for unnecessary reasons, against Georgia. And while he was on the field, his team only conceded one goal. This is greatness. Throughout the entire tournament, it never once occurred to him to remember what year Pepe was born. Yes, it is important to understand that Portugal is not a very bright team, but it is very dry. But maybe precisely because he can still rely on the legendary defender?
Right centre back – Ruben Dias, Portugal
Ruben Dias
Photo: Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images
Pepe was also very good because the young Dias played alongside him. The Manchester City defender, as always, worked well in defence and also missed the match against Georgia as a substitute. Thanks also to Ruben and Pepe, the Portuguese national team is at the top in almost all defensive metrics. Dias is one of the few defenders in the tournament who has never made a serious mistake in favour of his opponent.
Left midfielder – Cody Gakpo, Netherlands
Cody Gakpo
Photo: Sebastian Widmann – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
The Liverpool player is having a fantastic tournament. With 1.1 expected goals, Cody scored three. The lad also has one assist. But numbers alone are not enough. If it weren’t for Gakpo, it’s unclear how the Netherlands would have ended the encounters with Romania (3-0) and Turkey (2-1). The Dutchman tore up the left flank and was incredibly useful – he is the leader of the Dutch national team in moving the ball in attack and then creating an advantage at the opponent’s goal (22). And on average, Gakpo spent more time with the ball per game than any other attacking player (5.8). All these factors demonstrate Cody’s importance for Ronald Koeman’s team. He was really very good.
Left central midfielder – Fabian Ruiz, Spain
Fabian Ruiz
Photo: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
This midfielder has become one of the discoveries of Euro 2024. Ruiz has never played a decisive role in the Spanish national team before, and, moreover, he has practically never played for the national team before. In terms of creating chances (including execution), the PSG midfielder is second only to Lamin Yamal, a player who is a priori more free in his actions. In fact, unlike his prodigious teammate, Fabian has a difficult task: connecting the midfield line with the attack, playing two roles at once: “ten” and “eight”. Technique, vision of the field and understanding of the moment – all this is about Ruiz, who has ultimately brought benefits to the Spanish national team. And what a one!
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Defensive midfielder – Rodri, Spain
rodri
Photo: Ryan Pierse – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
For several years, Rodri has embodied the concept of an ideal deep-lying midfielder: he distributes passes, controls the pace, periodically cleans up and occasionally usefully joins the attack. This boy even scored at the European Championships, although he does so only a few times a season. In terms of penetrative passes, the Manchester City defender in the Spanish national team is second only to the more creative Ruiz (40 against 42), and in terms of time spent in the tournament, only behind goalkeeper Unai Simon (531 against 570). The backbone of the European champions. In addition, his end was contrasting: due to injury he had to be substituted at half-time, but in the 45th minute Rodri was already celebrating the victory and posing with the award for the best player of the European Championship.
Right central midfielder – Jamal Musiala, Germany
Jamal Musiala
Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
The Bayern midfielder had a decent Euro. By the way, he became Musiala’s first. And immediately a fantastic execution: three goals instead of the expected one. Jamal is among the five best players in the tournament in terms of creating chances for his teammates (an average of six per game). This was made possible by Musiala’s versatility: in Julian Nagelsmann’s system, this player is simultaneously a playmaker, a finisher, a distraction and a filler of various areas. It all depends on the situation. The diamond of the German national team.
Right midfielder – Lamin Yamal, Spain
Lamin Yamal
Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Euro 2024 is Lamin’s tournament in every sense. He is the youngest scorer in the history of the European and World Championships, owner of one of the most beautiful goals and the best passer of the competition (4). Considering that Yamal turned 17 on July 13, his results are crazy. It is possible that due to his age, the next season will be difficult and thorny for the boy, but the current one, including the summer of 2024, is a kind of fairy tale.
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Left winger – Dani Olmo, Spain
Dani Olmo
Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
If the joker has a face, it is Olmo’s face. The professional midfielder became a striker at Euro 2024, in the best tradition of Cesc Fabregas. At the same time, Dani does not necessarily need to start from the first minutes: he is equally successful both coming off the bench and coming off the bench. A goal in each of the playoff games (except the final), assists against Albania and Germany, and all this in 432 minutes on the pitch! No one has such a powerful utility.
Right Winger – Harry Kane, England
Harry Kane
Photo: Carl Recine/Getty Images
The tournament’s top forward. Three goals, all incredibly important: a 1-1 draw with Denmark and a 2-1 win over Slovakia, who started a comeback against the Netherlands (2-1). If England’s star-studded midfield had been more creative, Harry would have scored many more goals: the striker scored three (2.8 goals per xG). Spectacular implementation, combined with calm and class. It’s a shame that the Englishman missed out on the trophy again.
Strongly!
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symbolic team
