Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament

Since the 4-2-3-1 seems to be the formation of the tournament, I am going to use it rather than the typical 4-4-2 to name my “best of”.

GK: Iker Casillas (ESP)
Casillas is a no-brainer, especially after his penalty heroics against Italy.

RB: Hamit Altintop (TUR)
The most under appreciated player at this tournament. Playing out of position, he proved capable defensively and was the main thrust of Turkey’s attack from the RB position.

CB: Doran Goian (ROM) and Emanuel Pogatetz (AUS)
- I’ve never had much time for Pogatetz, but he was a beast at this tournament; a leader in every sense and tenacious in defense. Austria only allowed three goals with what is considered the weakest side in the tournament. He was a big reason for their outstanding defensive record.
- Romania gave up no goals from open play in the Group of Death when he was on the pitch. Is it any wonder that the Netherlands scored when he was suspended.

LB: Danijel Praniic (CRO)
He was electrifying coming forward and solid defensively. Is it any wonder that Lyon have already swooped him up?

DM: Nigel de Jong (NED) and Marcos Senna (ESP)
- If you’re going to play a double pivot, you need one Gattuso like ball-winner. And nobody epitomized that dogged determination more than de Jong this tournament.
- Senna was outstanding anchoring for Spain. He may well be the player of the tournament.

AM: Bastian Schweinsteiger (GER), Wesley Sneijder (NED) and Andrei Arshavin (RUS)
- While people seem to think that Ballack carried the team, it was the Pig who returned to the team and drug them forward against Portugal and Turkey, despite being benched by Low early on.
- What can you say about Wesley Sneijder that hasn’t already been said? Just phenomenal!
- For two games, Arshavin was the greatest player on the planet. How much more could he have accomplished, had he not been suspended.

F: Nihat Kahveci (TUR)
It’s hard to pick Nihat over Villa, but Nihat was Turkey’s leader. And he was there any time they needed him.