GK – Petr Cech (Czech Republic)
Perhaps a slightly harsh choice given he kept one clean sheet in three games, and conceded three to an impressive Portuguese side, making more saves on average per game than anyone bar Akinfeev of Russia and Isaksson of Sweden. But with 87 minutes played in their final group game, the Czechs were cruising through to a quarter final meeting with Croatia, when Cech inexplicably dropped a cross at the feet of Nihat Kahveci for a Turkish equaliser. The same player then scored a winner 2 minutes later to knock the Czechs out, making the error from “the world’s best goalkeeper” (© ITV) very costly indeed.
RB – Willy Sagnol (France)
The Bayern Munich defender is now 31, and was given a torrid time in his two appearances by Romania’s Adrian Mutu and the entire Dutch team as the French slid out of the tournament with three limp displays yielding just one point and six goals conceded. Sagnol paid the price, losing his place to Francois Clerc for the final group game against Italy.
CB – Emannuel Pogatetz (Austria)
The Austrians were a fairly pleasant surprise, giving Poland and Germany a good run for their Euros, but Middlesbrough’s big central defender (nicknamed Mad Dog) shouldn’t have been in the side for the Poland clash after a dismal display in the hosts’ first game against Croatia which saw him cautioned early on and should have seen him pick up a second after he hauled Ivica Olic to the ground, only for Dutch referee Pieter Vink to be inexplicably lenient. Pogatetz survived, but Austria bowed out at the first hurdle.
CB – Per Mertesacker (Germany)
For the second tournament in a row, the Germans made it to the latter stages in spite of their defending, rather than because of it. And once again, Mertesacker was the weakest of a Laurel and Hardy (known on Tyneside as a Boumsong and Bramble) partnership with Christoph Metzelder. Uncomfortable in the early games, his poor positional sense arguably cost his team a goal or three. He did however commit just two fouls in six games, which either means he’s a very clean player or he wasn’t getting near the attackers enough to foul them. I have my opinions…
LB – Marcell Jansen (Germany)
Jansen made 5 appearances in the tournament, starting the first two games and looking like one of four very weak links in an appalling German defence against Poland (despite a clean sheet) and Croatia, who shocked the Germans with a 2-1 victory. Thereafter he didn’t start a game as he lost his place to Arne Friedrich, and only made brief substitute appearances against Portugal, Turkey and Spain, again looking like a fish out of water.
CM – Giorgios Karagounis (Greece)
One of the stars of the shock Greek triumph in Portugal 4 years ago, Karagounis seems to have gone downhill very rapidly. A trio of completely unimpressive performances littered with misplaced passes, wild efforts on goal, and one yellow card for his troubles.
AM – Florent Malouda (France)
Alan Shearer was in complete dismay (and was almost animated in the BBC studio) when, in the first half of France’s dismal goalless draw with Romania, Chelsea’s Malouda pulled out of a challenge with the Romanian goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont. It was pitiful to watch, and he only lasted an hour of the game. The fact he was ignored by Raymond Domenech when the influential Franck Ribery suffered an injury against the Italians indicated he maybe thought so too.
AM – Tuncay Sanli (Turkey)
While everyone around him flourished, Tuncay somewhat flattered to deceive with a string of missed chances, notably an opportunity to square the Turks’ opening game with Portugal late on. His indiscipline also cost him a place in the semi final, and possibly cost the Turks a Final place. He did however complete their final group game between the sticks, keeping a clean sheet after Volkan was sent off for a moment of madness.
FW – Nicolas Anelka (France)
The Chelsea striker was one of the biggest disappointments of the tournament. He only started one game, the opener for the French against the Romanians, a game in which his performance left a lot to be desired. Thereafter he was left to play a bit part role, and struggled to make any impact as a substitute against either the Netherlands or Italy.
FW – Mario Gomez (Germany)
Stuttgart’s Gomez was earmarked as one of the potential stars of the tournament, after scoring 19 goals in the Bundesliga last season as well as three in the Champions League. On the evidence of this tournament he’d struggle to get a game in the British Gas Business League next season. 215 goalless minutes and arguably the worst miss of this century against Austria from about 4 yards out.
FW – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Undoubtedly a controversial selection, but once again one has to feel Ronaldo flattered to deceive on the biggest stage. One goal and one assist in Portugal’s run to the quarter finals is not good enough for a man purported to be the best player in the world, plus his continuing petulant attitude when things don’t go his way continues to frustrate.
Manager – Steve McClaren (FC Twente)
Thanks very much mate.
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