Sometimes the Euros are characterized by the rank outsiders triumphing, like Denmark in 1992 and Greece in 2004. Others are remembered for the pure efficiency of the victors - see Germany in 1996 and Spain in 2008.
The 2024 edition was simply won by the best team in every sense. Spain had the most potent attack, possessed the most complete midfield and were the team with the strongest identity. It was a squad that innately comprehends and embraces its modus operandi, more so than any other this summer in Germany.
Their approach was also in stark contrast to most of their biggest rivals. Didier Deschamps’ France squad was the most talented but he insisted on making them play self-inhibitively.
His cautious approach has undoubtedly brought the team much recent success but it is a style that requires the least bravery and least coaching ability. The fact Descamps opted to set up his team practically devoid of creativity was ultimately his undoing.
Gareth Southgate attempted to replicate Deschamps’ “suffer-ball” with his England team. They were perplexingly awful throughout the group stages and first knock-out phase until they started to come out of their shell a bit in the latter stages.
Most neutrals seem to agree that it was a victory for the sport, given that Spain were intent on entertaining supporters with their brand of dynamic, fast-flowing, front football. This was in stark contrast to their pass-the-opposition-to-death style which encapsulated their 2008 and 2012 triumphs.🇪🇸 Spain are champions of Europe 🏆#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/Ch0AF0iPWl
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 14, 2024
Their approach was also in stark contrast to most of their biggest rivals. Didier Deschamps’ France squad was the most talented but he insisted on making them play self-inhibitively.
His cautious approach has undoubtedly brought the team much recent success but it is a style that requires the least bravery and least coaching ability. The fact Descamps opted to set up his team practically devoid of creativity was ultimately his undoing.
Gareth Southgate attempted to replicate Deschamps’ “suffer-ball” with his England team. They were perplexingly awful throughout the group stages and first knock-out phase until they started to come out of their shell a bit in the latter stages.
Portugal’s star-laden team also showed little willingness for adventure, content to mostly stifle the opposition.
Only Germany of the other powerhouse nations showed the courage to take the game to the opposition. The hosts can count themselves unlucky to have faced the Spanish at the quarter-final stage.
This will likely be remembered as a tournament where goals were in short supply. It is understandable that the tournament underdogs adopt a defense-first strategy, but when sides with a wealth of attacking options do the same, entertainment tends to be in short supply.
However, ultimately fortune favored the bold and Spain saw off all the major rivals playing a brand of football that got fans out of their seats.
Meanwhile, the fans overshadowed the action on the pitch at times. The advantage of having a European Championships in the center of the continent was keenly felt. The pandemic-stricken 2021 Euros and the 2022 World Cup, held in a sportingly heritage-less Qatar, had felt sterile for many.
Germany, a country with a rich footballing background, were knowledgeable hosts and boast multiple excellent stadiums.
Newcomers to the tournament also played a significant part in whipping up the atmosphere, with both Georgians and Albanians in a boisterous mood, helping to propel their teams to put in some memorable performances.
A special mention for the Dutch who traveled across the border in huge numbers in bright orange. And the Turks, a vast number of whom now reside in Germany, were in fine voice throughout.
The official best player of the Euros was Spain’s midfield lynchpin Rodri, who showed that no other player in Europe is so capable of starting attacking moves and ending those of the opposition.
Spain’s Yamal was deservedly named the young player of the tournament, while teammate Nico Williams was the tournament’s most exhilarating player with his directness and trickery.
While there were few consistently brilliant keepers, Georgia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili deserves mention for some of his group stage heroics.
Antoni Rudiger of Germany and England’s John Stones were the most outstanding center halves, while Theo Hernandez provided much of France’s attacking threat despite playing full back.
Spain’s midfielders Dani Olmo and Fabian Ruiz were not widely tipped as influential pre-tournament, but both were superbly creative and key to their team’s success.
Many pundits had Mbappe, Kane and Ronaldo down as favorites to take the tournament by storm with their goals. All three were seriously underwhelming though, with Mbappe looking rattled after having broken his nose early in the competition. Harry Kane looked like he was running through treacle at times, while Ronaldo plays like, well, a forward nearly in his forties.
The goals may not have flowed as consistently at Euro 2024 as in past tournaments but the fans elevated the occasion and the tournament had a worthy victor.
Only Germany of the other powerhouse nations showed the courage to take the game to the opposition. The hosts can count themselves unlucky to have faced the Spanish at the quarter-final stage.
This will likely be remembered as a tournament where goals were in short supply. It is understandable that the tournament underdogs adopt a defense-first strategy, but when sides with a wealth of attacking options do the same, entertainment tends to be in short supply.
However, ultimately fortune favored the bold and Spain saw off all the major rivals playing a brand of football that got fans out of their seats.
The fans
Meanwhile, the fans overshadowed the action on the pitch at times. The advantage of having a European Championships in the center of the continent was keenly felt. The pandemic-stricken 2021 Euros and the 2022 World Cup, held in a sportingly heritage-less Qatar, had felt sterile for many.
Germany, a country with a rich footballing background, were knowledgeable hosts and boast multiple excellent stadiums.
Newcomers to the tournament also played a significant part in whipping up the atmosphere, with both Georgians and Albanians in a boisterous mood, helping to propel their teams to put in some memorable performances.
A special mention for the Dutch who traveled across the border in huge numbers in bright orange. And the Turks, a vast number of whom now reside in Germany, were in fine voice throughout.
The players
The official best player of the Euros was Spain’s midfield lynchpin Rodri, who showed that no other player in Europe is so capable of starting attacking moves and ending those of the opposition.
Spain’s Yamal was deservedly named the young player of the tournament, while teammate Nico Williams was the tournament’s most exhilarating player with his directness and trickery.
While there were few consistently brilliant keepers, Georgia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili deserves mention for some of his group stage heroics.
Antoni Rudiger of Germany and England’s John Stones were the most outstanding center halves, while Theo Hernandez provided much of France’s attacking threat despite playing full back.
Spain’s midfielders Dani Olmo and Fabian Ruiz were not widely tipped as influential pre-tournament, but both were superbly creative and key to their team’s success.
Many pundits had Mbappe, Kane and Ronaldo down as favorites to take the tournament by storm with their goals. All three were seriously underwhelming though, with Mbappe looking rattled after having broken his nose early in the competition. Harry Kane looked like he was running through treacle at times, while Ronaldo plays like, well, a forward nearly in his forties.
The goals may not have flowed as consistently at Euro 2024 as in past tournaments but the fans elevated the occasion and the tournament had a worthy victor.
Source: TVP World
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