EURO 2020: Team of the Tournament

The 2020 European Championships are finally over and it was one of the most memorable tournaments in recent seasons. Italy went on to beat England in a penalty shoot-out in the final to secure their second European title and first since 1968. Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donarumma claimed player of the tournament and Spain’s Pedri picked up the young player of the tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo led all players with five goals, but is it enough to make TGH’s team of the tournament? 

Goalkeeper & Defenders

GK: Gianluigi Donarumma (Italy) – Already with 33 appearances for Italy at the age of 22, Donarumma looks like he’ll be there for the next decade and more. With a crucial penalty save in the semi-final against Spain and with another two in the final, Donarumma looks like the best keeper on the planet. He kept three clean sheets and only conceded three goals all tournament.

LB: Leonardo Spinazzola (Italy) – When Spinazzola went off against Belgium in the quarter-final, their whole attack looked different for the rest of the tournament. The marauding left-back was influential in Italy’s attack and picked up two man of the match awards for his efforts. Can’t wait to see more of him at the World Cup next year.  

CB: Leonardo Bonucci (Italy) – Bonucci shut down Harry Kane and the England attack in the final and made it look easy. His composure in nervous situations when dealing with Raheem Sterling earned him man of the match in the final. The Italian was almost perfect with his passing and even knocked in the equalizer in the final.

CB: Giorgio Chiellini (Italy) – At 36 years old, Chiellini just won his last, and maybe greatest, battle of his career. Chiellini did not let Harry Kane have a single chance in the penalty box and made him drop deep to collect the ball. The image of him pulling back England’s Bukayo Saka will always be remembered from the final, as Chiellini was doing anything he could to win. He is one of the all-time greats.

RB: Joakim Maehle (Denmark) – The little known Danish right-back just completed a €10 million euro move to Italy’s Atalanta and has already increased his value with his performances this summer. He scored two goals and created another down the left flank, while being right-footed. His assist to Kasper Dolberg against the Czech Republic could win the tournament.

Midfield

CM: Pedri (Spain) – Pedri only had four international appearances before EURO 2020, but played every match for Spain this summer. In their semi-final loss to the champions Italy, Pedri completed 65 out of 66 passes in 120 minutes. 

CM: Jorginho (Italy) – Jorginho won the Champions League and the EUROs within a span of six weeks. His ability has been questioned throughout the club season, but this summer he proved the doubters wrong. He was the engine in the midfield, continuously pressing and picking perfect passes. He set a new record for interceptions in the tournament (25) and finished second in successful passes (485) and possession won (48).

CM: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Denmark) – The Dane picked up three assists, created 11 chances, completed 10 dribbles, and won the ball back 51 times (most in tournament). He led his nation after the Christian Eriksen tragedy and proved why he is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. 

Forwards

RW: Federico Chiesa (Italy) – Chiesa wasn’t even the first choice for Roberto Mancini out right at the start of the tournament, but eventually emerged as the star of the Italian attack. He scored off the bench in the round of 16 against Austria and tormented Belgium defenders in the quarters. The Italian won man of the match in the semi-final against Spain after scoring in the second-half. Chiesa turned himself into a world class talent this summer.

ST: Patrik Schick (Czech Republic) – Seemed that all hope was lost for Schick after flopping in Serie A for Roma after a big money move, but never count out this guy. He had already scored one against Scotland before he scored the goal of the tournament. The Czech scored in the draw against Croatia and also in the round of 16 against heavy-favorites the Netherlands. Schick also scored in the loss against Denmark and only lost out on the golden boot thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo assist. He is with Bayer Leverkusen in Germany and looks ready for a big season with lots of goals.

LW: Raheem Sterling (England) – There is no way England make it to the finals without Raheem Sterling. He scored the match winning goals against Czech Republic and Croatia and provided the spark for England against Germany. Sterling shut up his critics this summer and looks to keep it going for Manchester City this fall.