Introduction
The much-decorated tournament of the European continent has finally concluded. Now that this feeling has finally sunk in, the tournament has lived up to all its hype and expectation. The competition has given us plenty of excitement, thrilling games, upsets as well as enjoyment. Euro 2020 edition has been the most enjoyed edition after a long long time.
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The Azzurri’s are the most deserved winners, as they have been unbeaten in the last 34 games. Roberto Mancini has truly transformed the team’s spirit, confidence as well as gameplay. Rather than playing the traditional way, Italians are more brisk, smooth, and direct in their attacking approach. England is unlucky, to have missed out on a Golden opportunity to win something major yet again. Their hunt for the silverware remains to continue. However, reaching the finals will certainly boost the morale of this young English squad. They will look to take this as a stepping stone for the next World Cup in 2022.
As the competition has given us great moments, fantastic individual performances and some fantastic goals. We now look at the players who have cut the BTM’s Team Of The Tournament.
Goal Keeper of the Euro 2020
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Asking someone to fill the shoes of Gianluigi Buffon is not an easy feat. Gianluigi II (Donnarumma) has so far impressed everyone in the National colors. Still only 21, he has a long career ahead of him and we are pretty sure, the shot-stopper is certainly destined to win big trophies in the future as well. The “Player of the Tournament” has been terrific in between the sticks by keeping 3 clean sheets. He was also terrific in penalty shootouts against Spain as well as England. It was these performances that helped Italy clinch the title.
Defenders of Euro 2020
Right Back : Joakim Mæhle
The Denmark defender has had an amazing Euros tournament. The Atalanta full-back has carried his club form to his National team as well. Joakim Mæhle impressed everyone with his versatility, pace, positioning, and goal-scoring abilities. The Right Back linked excellently with the attackers and created chances upfront. Mæhle has terrific stats in this competition with a passing accuracy of 84%, excellent ball recovery, and has also scored 2 goals.
CB: Georgio Chiellini
The classic old-school defender silenced his critics with an astute defending. Chiellini even at 36 is a man to beat. The tall center-back held his fort excellently and has also been one of the main reasons for helping Italy to keep so many clean sheets, over the years. Chiellini played 5 matches in Euros, Italy has kept clean sheets in 3 of those matches. His passing accuracy has been 90% with 21 clearances.
CB: Harry Maguire
The English center back returned to the squad after spending over a month on the sidelines, due to an ankle injury. Even though Harry Maguire missed the first two group games, his performances in the remaining games have been simply phenomenal. The Manchester United center-back scored a goal (against Ukraine in the QF), completed 25 clearances and his passing accuracy throughout the tournament has been at 92%.
Left Back : Leonardo Spinazzola
The Italian full-back was unlucky to miss out on semi-finals and finals due to Achilles tendon injury. The speed demon has been the fastest player in this Euros edition. The Roma full-back did cause plenty of havoc in the opposition camp. Spinazzola played 4 matches, provided 1 assist and his passing accuracy has been at 88%.
Midfielders of Euro 2020
CDM: Jorginho
The Chelsea midfielder has had excellent past few months for both his club and the country. Jorginho was instrumental in Chelsea’s Champions League campaign and has also been magnificent for Italy in the Euros. The midfielder had complete control of Italy’s momentum and also completed excellent tackles. Jorginho also had the most recoveries for Italy and his passing accuracy throughout the tournament has been at 93%.
CM: Pedri
The Young Player Of The Tournament has impressed everybody with his vision, passing, and ability in dictating the pace of the game. The prodigy certainly has a very bright future and Spain certainly has found another gem in the midfield. Is that even a surprise?
The 18-year-old midfielder started in all 6 matches for Spain and has had a passing accuracy of 92% throughout the tournament.
CM: Paul Pogba
The bright spark of France’s Euro campaign. If France would have advanced beyond the RO16, Paul Pogba may have been one of the contenders of the Player of the Tournament. His range of passing, link-up play with the attackers and stunning long-range goal were all the highlights until France surprisingly crashed out.
Attackers of Euro 2020
LF: Cristiano Ronaldo
The Golden Boot winner of the Euros scored 5 goals for Portugal, even though they bowed out in the RO16. Moreover, his goals have come against opponents like Germany, Hungary & France. Along with his 5 goals, Cristiano Ronaldo also has an assist and has 16 attempts on goal. Only if Portugal would have advanced, the Talismanic forward may have bagged more goals. Cristiano Ronaldo also holds the record for the most number of goals scored in the Euros competition.
CF: Patrick Schick
The man who carried the Czech Republic until the tournament’s Quarter Finals was the man to watch out for. Patrick Schick caused plenty of problems for every opponent. The Bayer Leverkusen forward scored 5 goals and missed out on the Golden Boot to Cristiano Ronaldo, only because the Portuguese registered one assist. Schick’s wonder goal against Scotland remains the highlight, as it is indeed one of the best goals of the Euros tournament ever.
RF: Raheem Sterling
The prolific English winger came into the Euros with an inconsistent form and ended the tournament as England’s best player. The Manchester City winger scored winning goals against Croatia & Czech Republic in the group stages, they opened up the scoring for England against Germany. Provided an assist against Ukraine and also won a penalty that clinched the victory against Denmark in the semi-final.
Final Team of the Tournament Euro 2020
Top 5 Moments of Euro 2020
This Euros edition has given us many prestigious moments. Here are the top 5 according to us
1. Erikssen’s fatal incident
The most unfortunate moment in MW1, wherein the Dane collapsed on the pitch. The world prayed and Denmark’s wonder journey began. Denmark’s victory in the competition was a tribute to Erikssen.
2. Schick’s Wonder goal
Patrick Schick scored one of the all-time great Euros goals ever. The Czech forward opened the scoring from his header just before halftime however, his strike from just inside the Scotland half will always live in the memory of football fans.
3. Yan Sommers heroics
Even though Switzerland bowed out in the Quarter Finals, Yan Sommer would have been proud of his performances in the tournament. He will certainly get more respect and has been one of the best keepers in this edition of Euros. Sommers heroics helped Switzerland eliminate France in RO16 and even though they lost out on penalties against Spain, Sommers’s performance in the entire game was top notch as he produced a couple of wonderful saves.
4. Müller’s miss
Raheem Sterling scored in the 75th minute to open the scoring for England. Shortly after that, he gave away the ball cheaply and it was Müller who was destined to score in a one-on-one situation against Pickford, only to shoot just wide. This was the turning point as England scored shortly and the Germans were eliminated at Wembley.
5. Damsgaard Free Kick
Mikkel Damsgaard scored from a stunning free-kick against England in the semi-finals, to open the scoring. As much as the goal was sensational, it is the only goal scored from a free kick in the entire tournament.
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How on earth pogba and maguire there ?