Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament as Spain dominate | OneFootball

Euro 2024 concluded this weekend as Spain beat England in Berlin to be crowned winners for a record-breaking fourth time.

It’s time to reflect on a month of tournament football and celebrate the stars of the summer. Here is our Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament.

Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament:

Goalkeeper: Giorgi Mamardashvili – Georgia

Georgia were brilliant to watch in large part thanks to a willingness to give it a go mixed with vulnerability at the back.

Fortunately for the debutants, Georgi Mamardashvili is an exceptional goalkeeper. The Valencia shot-stopper made 30 saves in just four games (13 more than any other goalkeeper) and according to xG numbers prevented more expected goals (+4.1) than any other player.

Right-back: Jules Kounde – France

Arguably France’s best performer at the tournament, leading Les Bleus for chances created even if he lacks the forward threat of a specialist full-back.

Kounde, however, excelled in locking down some of the toughest one-on-one tests in the tournament, shackling Jeremy Doku and Rafael Leao during the knockout stages wins against Belgium and Portugal.

Centre-back: William Saliba – France

William Saliba was not expected to be first-choice for France this summer despite his excellence at club level for Arsenal. Still, the defender proved what those in North London already knew about his potential.

Saliba handled the demands of major tournament football perfectly, performing with confidence at centre-back for a France team that recorded a tournament-leading four clean sheets to reach the semi-finals.

Centre-back: Aymeric Laporte – Spain

Last summer’s move to Saudi Arabia cast doubt on Aymeric Laporte’s international career but the Spanish centre-back has issued his response this summer. Laporte’s left-footed balance, distribution and defensive nous all shone for Spain, who were the best team in the tournament by a considerable distance.

Having been ignored by France for so long before switching his international allegiance, he now has Nations League and European Championship triumphs on his résumé.

Left-back: Marc Cucurella – Spain

Marc Cucurella has ignored outside noise to be one of the success stories of Euro 2024. A surprise inclusion in Luis de la Fuente’s side, Cucurella became key for the champions with his tenacious performances.

He linked well with Nico Williams down the left and battled brilliantly in his defensive duels, before assisting the final winner with a perfect cross for Mikel Oyarzabal to steer home. After a tough time at club level, Cucurella has proven a point this summer.

Midfield: Rodri – Spain

Rodri was named UEFA’s Player of the Tournament as the midfielder’s accolades continue to swell. His influence has helped Manchester City and Spain become winning machines, dictating games from the base of the midfield and infecting his teammates with the mentality to get over the line.

The 28-year-old has now picked up Player of the Tournament accolades in successful Champions League, Club World Cup, UEFA Nations League and European Championship campaigns.

Midfield: Fabian Ruiz – Spain

Fabian Ruiz has not always been a favourite for club or country but his role in Spain’s triumphant European Championship will not be forgotten. The midfielder won the ball back relentlessly, oozed class under pressure in possession, and provided the perfect complement to Rodri in midfield.

Ruiz offered consistent quality from start to finish in Germany this summer.

Midfield: Dani Olmo – Spain

Dani Olmo was not even a starter in the Spain side until Pedri’s injury in the knockout rounds but the 26-year-old became Euro 2024’s most decisive contributor.

A goal and assist off the bench dumped hosts Germany out in the quarter-finals, before a brilliantly-taken semi-final winner against France. In the final, he denied a certain England equaliser with a goal-line clearance and Spain’s success is littered with moments of magic from the midfielder.

Right-wing: Lamine Yamal – Spain

It’s been impossible to ignore the narrative around Yamal’s age this summer but let’s forget that for just a second.

Yamal has been superb at Euro 2024, a standout among senior stars and the creative spark of a Spanish side deservedly crowned European champions for a record fourth time. His four assists are a tournament-leading total and no player provided more key passes than the teenager, who set up Nico Williams’ opener in the final win over England.

The 17-year-old has the world at his feet.

Left-wing: Nico Williams – Spain

Simply electric. Nico Williams is the sort of footballer that makes admission fees worthwhile, with a brand of football that leaves defenders terrified and fans on their feet.

Williams symbolised a new Spain, one that retains the hallmarks of their tiki-taka era but offers a threat in transition and pace to hurt teams. His mix of trickery and end product was a feature of the champion’s tournament and should lead to a big move this summer.

Forward: Cody Gakpo – Netherlands

Cody Gakpo has become the man for the big occasion for the Netherlands, building on a breakout World Cup in 2022 with another strong tournament this summer. Gakpo scored three goals, created another, and helped bundle in the own-goal-winner against Turkey in the quarter-finals.

The Dutch exceeded expectations to reach the last four and Gakpo was a big part of that. After a mixed season with Liverpool, he showed signs of form that can increase optimism at Anfield in 2024-25.

Read – Euro 2024 Awards: Best moment, player, goal and more

See more – Tweets of the Week: England deep fakes, Darwin Nunez fights fans, and it’s coming home?

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