The European Championship final of 2012 broke records, its the first final to have four goals scored, the first to be so interestingly one side and Spain became the first country to retain the Euros and this led to a hat trick of championships for the Spaniards following their triumph at the World cup in South Africa in 2010.
The whole world has praised this Spanish team to high heavens and also the comparisms with the great Brazilian side of the 60s and 70s. I make bold to say that this Spanish team are the greatest ever. Why? This team has consistently reinvented itself, played beautiful football, brought young players through and did something the Brazilian team of that era did not do; win their regional football tournament. We wait to see if they can repeat it again in 2014, i would not bet against them achieving a quadruple.
I will not dwell too much on the Spanish success as another write up will be dedicated to their achievements, meanwhile we will focus our attention on the players that stood out and led their teams with pride.
EURO 2012 TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT (4-3-3)
Iker Casillas
The Spanish Captain has proven over the years that he remains a class act, I remember him been at Nigeria '99 with Xavi to lead the Spanish U-21 team to victory. A lot of water has passed under the bridge and Saint Iker leads a great generation of Spanish goalies plying their trade all over Europe. Its just a pity that due to his greatness the likes of Pepe Reina, Victor Valdes, David De Gea etc cannot wrestle the number 1 jersey from him. He has led his nation with honour, pride and great humility to be one of the most successful national team captains in the history of the game.
Phillip Lahm
The German Captain put in a string of top class performances during the tournament playing at left back, but he is quite accustomed to playing at right back as well. Various players could lay claim to been the best right back at the tournament; Joao Pereira, Mathieu Debuchy, Glen Johnson and Theo Gabre- Selassie had great tournaments as well; but Lahm's quality was always evident to see, he even scored a goal in the Quarter final match against Greece.
Jordi Alba
I strongly believe this is one position that all and sundry will agree on; Alba put up a master class of a performance in each and every game in played, capping it with a well taken goal in the final against Itlay. Calm, composed, quick and highly effective are a few adjectives to describe Jordi Alba; he has also rewarded himself with a move to Catalan giants Barcelona.
Mats Hummels
Forget the pitiful performance against the Italians in the Semi Finals, the Dortmund strong man had a good tournament to go with the great season he had with Dortmund. Strong in the air, confident on the ball, able to bring the ball out of defense calmly; Hummels was one of Germany's best performers at the Euros.
Sergio Ramos
Traditionally known as a right back, Ramos has shown great maturity in adapting to the role at center back (even though he struggled in that position in his early days at Real). Sergio Ramos was truly immense for the Spanish, leading the troops calmly from the back even scored a cheeky penalty against Portugal in Pirlo style.
Sami Khedira
Sami enjoyed a freedom we have never seen in the German squad, he pushed forward at will and stood out as the best German player at the Euros in my opinion. His desire to push forward meant his midfield partner, Bastian Schweinsteiger sat in front of the German back four; a lot has been said about this tactical change and this as been attributed to an injury Schweinsteiger was nursing.
Andrea Pirlo
The little Magician rolled back the years with his performances for Juventus in Serie A to lead them to a scudetto; he showed the world that it was not a flash in the pan my leading Italy to the Finals with great displays all through the tournament. He even has the moment of the tournament in his kitty with that audacious penalty against England.
Cesc Fabregas
Cesc showed in this tournament that he has come of age and truly matured as a footballer, showing great versatility. I have opted to name him in Midfield as i will resist the temptation of playing with a False 9 like the whole world has done since the tournament like its a new phenomenal in football.
Andres Iniesta
Player of the tournament, need I say more; Iniesta is heavenly, period.
Cristano Ronaldo
The Portuguese captain showed that he was truly ready to lead his country to glory in this tournament and made the tournament his own; little wonder why he was waiting in the wings to take the last penalty. Was it a bout of nerves or was it strategic?
Mario Mandzukic
A controversial choice, but this is only player asides Alan Dzagoev that got knocked out in the group stages that deserves to be in the team of the tournament. Little wonder Bayern Munich went ahead to sign him on immediately.
Reserves (2nd Eleven)
Gianlugi Buffon, Alan Dzagoev, Daniel De Rossi, Joao Moutinho, Daniel Agger, Fabio Contreao, Pepe, Joao Pereira, Mario Gomez, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Xavi Hernandez (4-1-3-2)
Unfortunate to be left out
Mario Balotelli, Luis Nani, Manuel Neuer, Steven Gerrad, Glen Johnson, Xabi Alonso, Gerard Pique, Mesut Ozil, Leonardo Bonucci.
Goal of the tournament
Who else but Zlatan Ibrahimovic (pity Milan are going to lose him)
Could have been best goal of the tournament
Daniel De Rossi's strike against England that hit the cross bar and left Hart helpless
Most Memorable moment of the Tournament
Extra large Chips served hot and smoking with a lot of ketch up by Andrea Pirlo to England's Joe Hart..
Note
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Adeyemi Adesanya
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