Tuesday, July 22, 2008 . 12:20 AM
Yo! I'm back from hibernation!!! Before I get back to blogging furiously once more, let me make a list of what I was supposed to do throughout all this... Silence!
The Spanish captain never had a bad game for Spain and was always assured and reliable at the back for them. Produced great reflex saves in crucial moments in matches, especially in the final, to keep Spain in the hunt for their Euro Championship trophy.
The Real Madrid man was a revelation down the right hand side for the Spanish team, making excellent overlapping and penetrating runs down his flank. Is also an excellent header of the ball, which gives him great covering ability for his centre backs. He had an excellent tournament.
Watching him play, one would not be faulted for mistaking him for a left midfielder. The Russian practically owned the left flank whenever he played, making surging overlapping runs into the opponent's half, and tracking back whenever necessary.
The Caveman, as he is affectionately known, had a fantastic tournament. not the tallest or quickest of defenders, but he was always on hand to challenge those who posed a threat to his country's goal. Arguably the tournament's best defender.
One of the best readers of the game, he displayed that talent countless times during this tournament. A real classy defender, with bags of composure, who never seems to miss an opponent's run or mistime a tackle.
Without their No. 7, Germany would not have made it far in this tournament. Left out of the team and earning a red card as well as a one-match ban in the group stages, he turned over a new leaf in the knockout rounds and was a revelation for Germany. Was a constant menace to his opponents down the right flank, and one of the essential cogwheels of the German attack.
Was Germany's sole scorer in the group stages and although not happy in the left midfield role, shone in the position, providing crucial attacking power down the left flank. Always seems to know when to be in the right place at the right time, hence his finish as Germany's top scorer in the tournament.
The player of the tournament. Whenever you see this guy, he has the same calm expression on his face. A classy player who never seems to get hustled or frantic, producing pinpoint passes and to his fellow teammates. Has excellent ball retention and a great range of accurate passing, making sure that Spain kept possession for majority of the tournament.
The Real Madrid man was the biggest threat for Holland as he tormented opponent's defenses with his excellent runs, accurate passing and link up play with Rafael van der Vaart, and hard-hitting shots. Took his two goals in the tournament well, especially the world class effort against France.
Russia's favourite son, this tournament proclaimed the rise of the Zenit St. Petersburg man, who is now subject to a move to many clubs, to name a few, Barcelona, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal. The 27 year old is now football's new poster boy, with world class performances against Sweden and Holland, which put Russia through to the semi-finals to face the eventual winners, Spain.
Sure, David Villa might have been top scorer of the tournament, but even he said so himself that he would not have scored 2 out of the 3 goals he did against Russia if not for Torres. The Liverpool man showed just how suited he is to the lone striker role in the Final, hitting the post with a towering header and clipping the ball over Lehmann for the eventual winner. Is now arguably the best striker in the world.