58 years and counting…
So what will you remember of the UEFA European (Mens) Football Championship of 2024? A period of great frustration as England stuttered and stumbled their way through the various stages giving way to the hope that always slays most fans’ dreams? They couldn’t could they? No. They couldn’t.
I have been asked by many people who are not great watchers of football ‘why do they seem to play the ball sideways and backwards so much?….It’s slow and boring’. It is difficult to argue with such a view. And it’s an ‘Emperor’s New Clothes’ moment. They play it sideways and backwards, it is suggested, because they are coached to retain possession until the right moment when the ball can be passed through the lines etc etc. Minimise risk. Keep possession. Unfortunately, too often, players did not have the passing skills required and the ball was given to the opponents. Where were the dribblers, the takers of chances, the buccaneers? Often to be found in unexpected teams; Austria, Turkey and magically in Georgia. Of course I will recall for a time, Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick versus Slovakia, Olly Watkins late winner in the Semi Final against the Netherlands and Cole Palmer’s stroke of beauty in the final. They got me off my feet but mainly because I am English and some residual aging passion was stirred. But it was SPAIN who were the worthy winners of the competition. Winning all their matches in style and demonstrating how to keep possession, move off the ball imaginatively, pass accurately to a team mate, dribble and shoot when necessary. In my Selection XI of the Euros 24 I make no apology for including 7 players from Spain – though Unai Simon, Le Normand, Laporte and Morata also made valuable contributions to the success. So below are 11 players who impressed with some explanation. Obviously you will have your own views and mine is of course wrong. That’s a beauty of the game.
Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili (Georgia) Just finished his second season playing in La Liga for Valencia. A 1.99cm giant of a man (6ft 5ins to older readers) Mamardashvili made a record-equalling 21 saves in the group stage — eight more than any other goalkeeper — and prevented 3.6 goals, based on expected goals on target (xGOT). That was the best-ever performance recorded in the group stage.
Defenders Dani Carvajal (Spain) Carvajal..love him or loathe him. He is a master of what he does. He tackles and passes well, motivates teammates, reads the game superbly, weighs in with an occasional goal (eg.v Croatia in Spain’s opening game). Yes he is aggressive and winds up the opposition. But a winner –plays for Real Madrid after all.
Pepe (Portugal) now 41 and the oldest ever player in the Euros. And still class. Hates to be beaten.
William Saliba (France) Arsenal fans knew how good he is but Deschamps took time to be persuaded. Rarely puts a foot wrong.
Marc Cucurella (Spain) Had his critics before the tournament but proved them wrong with tenacious, energetic displays culminating in providing the cross for Spain’s winner in the final.
Midfield Rodri (Spain) if Pep Guardiola thinks he is the best player around who are we to argue? He can captain the side.
Fabian Ruiz (Spain) he and Rodri dominated midfield in all games played. Why disrupt the partnership?
Attackers Lamine Yamal (Spain) Pele announced himself to the world as an 18 year old in 1958. Yamal was 16 until just before this final. His goal against France in the Semi Final will live long in the memory. And he provided Spain with width and threat in every game as well as tracking back to do his defensive work.
Nico Williams (Spain) Ditto. Perfect foil to Yamal on the other flank. They combined for Williams to score a classy goal against England.
Dani Olmo (Spain) use him as a false 9. Very intelligent, skilful, mobile player. Winner of the Golden Boot.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia) watching him play, particularly in the match against Portugal, brought back memories of George Best. Joyful.
Subs Jordan Pickford, Marc Guehi, Jamal Musiala, Arda Guler, Marcel Sabitzer, Bukayo Saka and Niclas Fullkug (the only convincing number 9 I saw and Germany used him too late in my opinion)
What I will also remember of the Euro 2024 tournament was the moment that Toni Kroos clattered Spain’s Pedri to the ground after only 6 minutes in their Quarter Final match. A foul so bad that Pedri missed the rest of the tournament. Referee Anthony Taylor must have joined the Kroos Appreciation Society that was lavishing so much praise on the German. That he failed to at least book Kroos was inexplicable. Sadly a reminder of refereeing standards in the Premier League
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