Euro 2008 - Who To Look Out For

[Cinny]

If Fabregas' sub performances werent good enough in the first 2 group games or against Italy to command a first XI place in the Spanish team for the semi final surely thats why he shouldnt be named player of the tournament. I also think that if Villa had of been fit Fabregas wouldnt start the final either as Aragones is so stubborn. He was superblast night and instrumental in changing the game in the spanish victory but for the reason i've stated i don think he should get it.

I do however feel that Aragones has robbed Fabregas of a better chance at winning the player of the tournament because if he had of started every game he'd be a very warm favourite to get it.

[ONEDUNME]

It's not a market I'll be getting involved with as it's a minefield for all the reasons stated above.

Fabregas has been brilliant when he's played and I believe he CAN win the award. Just because his manager prefers someone else to him doesn't make him less of a player. It just means his manager's judgement in that area is faulty and Cesc has proven that to every reasonable person on the planet (excluding the geriatric).

How people can dismiss Fabregas because he hasn't started games and then mention Arshevin as a possible winner just beggers believe. Cesc misses games because his manager's a stubborn twat. Arshevin missed two games because he's a thug who has brought the game into disrepute and he is in with a shout? Have a fuckin think about it lads eh?

Villa scores a hatrick and doesn't pull up any trees in particular. Ballack has one good game, scores a cracking free kick in another but at least it can be said he has played his part in every game should Germany win.

Cassillas is the outstanding Spanish player but he has the handicap of being in an unfashionable position and if he drops one bollock in the final he can just forget it altogether.

Maybe a couple of goals from Podolski gives him a shout and a man of the match performance from Lahm could see him jump to the front of the queue having won the last game at the death. I dunno.

If you asked me who I'd chose, I'd say that Cassillas was ahead going into the last game, but that's based on football and not football politics. If you asked me who UEFA was going to give it to, I think a German victory on Sunday hands the award to Ballack and a Spanish victory gives it to Villa as ironically, his missing the final might just be the sympathy vote that swings it his way. If I was forced to bet I'd put my money on Villa.

[Cinny]

Does anyone know when this award is given out? i remember that the wrld cup award for player of the tournament was given out during half time of the final.

[Kiko]

I seriously cannot get my head around some of the players being spoken about winning this award like Arshavin and Ballack etc.

I understand how a winning team or a team getting to the final usually has a player that wins this award.

If thats the case then i am all for Casillas with ODM. I don't think he has put a foot wrong the whole tournament infact but giving it to a keeper wouldn't go down well you would think which is a load of shite really.

Two outstanding players for me who have gone unnoticed would be Senna and Ramos. Senna especially is your Makele type player who does all the dirty work allowing the others to get forward and express themselves. Senna has been a mountain in that holding role and has got better game by game.

Ramos has been very solid too. I prefer him as a Centre half but he is equally as good as a right back. Hasn't done much wrong that i can think of and has been very solid. Thought his performance against the Italians in particular was very good.

They are definately 2 of Spains stand outs with Casillas imo.

[ONEDUNME]

Good shout on Ramos Keeks. He was brilliant in the semi final too.

[rcgills]

Agree with you on Senna, Kiko, but not at all on Ramos. Thought he was a shadow of the player we've seen for Real Madrid this season, his defending has been pretty ropey (Sweden's goal in particular stands out), but he's shown very little of his usual attacking threat. I do think he's been getting better as the tournament has gone on, and he was closer to his usual self in the semi final, but I (and much of Spain, going by the stick he was getting in the press) thought he was poor in the group stages. Hasn't done anywhere near enough IMO to be in contention for this award.

May be worth keeping this list in mind - described as "euro2008.com takes its pick of ten of the players who most caught the eye at UEFA EURO 2008". Whether that means it's the opinion of the people who matter or just the opinion of a few website journalists, I don't know.

Includes a few players who went out in the quarters, who presumably won't be in contention. Obviously a match-winning performance from someone in the final could bring them into the reckoning still.

Also contains the answer to Cinny's question:

Before the UEFA Technical Team unveils the Castrol Player of Tournament and Team of the Tournament on Monday morning, euro2008.com takes its pick of ten of the players who most caught the eye at UEFA EURO 2008™. Have your say below.

Hamit Altıntop (Turkey)
Nihat Kahveci took the plaudits for his superb finish against the Czech Republic but it was Hamit's clever pass that gave him the chance. Tireless, versatile and selfless, his coach Fatih Terim summed up his contribution best: "When you have footballers like this, you don't lose."

Andrei Arshavin (Russia)
After inspiring FC Zenit St. Petersburg to victory in the UEFA Cup final in May, Arshavin rose to the occasion again here, returning from suspension to make the difference against both Sweden and the Netherlands. Quick, clever and very, very good.Michael Ballack (Germany)
Just when Germany looked on the ropes after losing to Croatia, Ballack got them back on their feet with the thunderous drive that defeated Austria. His performance in a more advanced role against Portugal helped wrest the initiative for Germany before he headed in the decisive third.


Iker Casillas (Spain)
With so much attacking talent on display goalkeepers have had it tough and Gianluigi Buffon, Artur Boruc, Igor Akinfeev and Stipe Pletikosa all impressed. Iker Casillas has had fewer saves to make than many, but has produced when it matters most, brilliantly saving from Mauro Camoranesi and Roman Pavlyuchenko in the knockout rounds, as well as getting the better of Buffon in the shoot-out.

Luka Modrić (Croatia)
Much was expected of the man dubbed the Croatian Cruyff and he did not disappoint, firing his side ahead from the penalty spot after only four minutes of their opening game against Austria. He created enough chances for Croatia to have beaten Turkey in the quarter-final and deserved better than to bow out after missing a penalty in the shoot-out.

Carles Puyol (Spain)
Question marks were raised over the Spain defence coming into the tournament but Puyol's central defensive partnership with Carlos Marchena has passed the test in a tournament that strikers have dominated. Increasingly assured with every game, Puyol was a tower of strength against Russia.

Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany)
Bounced back from his sending off against Croatia with a match-winning display against Portugal in the quarter-finals, scoring one and setting up two more. Also equalised against the run of play in the semi-final when Turkey were threatening to run away with the game.

Marcos Senna (Spain)
Senna provided the security in the centre that allowed Spain's talented, attack-minded midfielders to push forward. No-frills but very disciplined. The cornerstone of Spain's success.

Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands)
Sneijder epitomised the vibrancy with which the Netherlands opened the tournament, hooking in a terrific goal against Italy then trumping that with a tremendous strike against France.

David Villa (Spain)
Villa's hat-trick in Spain's opening win against Russia set the standard for much of what was to follow from Luis Aragonés's side. The Valencia CF striker came into the tournament bursting with confidence and it rubbed off on his team-mates. A shame injury ruled him out of the final.
The UEFA Technical Team will unveil the Castrol Player of Tournament and Team of the Tournament on Monday at 11.00CET.

euro2008.uefa.com - Ten of the best star turns


The fact Fabregas isn't on there doesn't rule him out, a match-winning performance tonight could bring him into contention, but I don't think there's any value in the current price. Don't think Senna or Puyol really stand a chance, well as they've played - they're very unfashionable positions - as Kiko says, Senna is the kind of player who does the dirty work, but doesn't tend to get the recognition he deserves. As for Puyol, I think centre backs need to have an outstanding tournament to stand a chance, and while he's played well, I don't think he's a realistic contender here.

I wouldn't be so quick to write off Casillas though. I've no idea what the past history of this award is, and whether keepers traditionally stand a chance, but I don't think it's that unfashionable a position. Make a fantastic save, save a penalty or 2 in a shoot-out - they're the kind of things that definitely get you noticed. Admittedly as ODM points out, dropping a bollock will also get you noticed for the wrong reasons. Already won MoM for the QF v Italy, I think he may need another MoM performance tonight to win the overall award, in which case you're surely better off going with the 14/1 at Paddys on Casillas winning MoM than you are the 11/2 that he wins player of the tournament.

The other player no-one's yet mentioned who I don't think is out of contention is Iniesta. Like most of the Spanish midfield, made a slow start to the tournament, but has been getting better as we go along, was voted MoM ahead of Fabregas in the semi-final v Russia, and if he puts in a similar performance tonight I don't think you can rule him out completely.

[Kiko]

I agree about Ramos not being near as good as he has been for Spain but do think he has been rather solid. I would also say Marchena has been the better centre back than Puyol too.

We speak about goalkeeper not being a fashionable position therefore ruling them out of the running. Thinking on it right now keepers like Coupet, Lehman etc aren't fashionable names but i could thinking on it see a keeper of Casillas, Buffon, Cech for example walking away with the award as these are pretty big names for keepers aren't they. Nowhere near the level of your Ronaldo's obviously, but still a big name.

For the record though i can't see Schweinstiget winning it mainly due to his sending off which surely writes him out of it.

Could be anyones and i will be interested to see who they pick.

[rcgills]

Zidane got it for the last world cup though, and he was sent off in the final. Although not sure whether that award might've been decided before the final was played.

Can't find a list of past winners of the player of the tournament award for the Euros, but found it for the World Cup, Oliver Kahn won it in 2002, so goalkeepers obviously do stand a chance.

[Kiko]

Originally Posted by rcgills

Zidane got it for the last world cup though, and he was sent off in the final. Although not sure whether that award might've been decided before the final was played.

Can't find a list of past winners of the player of the tournament award for the Euros, but found it for the World Cup, Oliver Kahn won it in 2002, so goalkeepers obviously do stand a chance.

I am sure i read Cinny saying it was announced during half time of the last finals. Bet they felt like right cnuts come the end of the game

[ONEDUNME]

The award is announced on Monday and at half time in the final, I've never been more convinced that Villa will definitely win it now.

[Punter]

.

[Punter]

Any odds available still? Not that i want a bet, just interested.

[rcgills]

It's Xavi

Football: Euro 2008: Uefa name Xavi player of the tournament | Football | guardian.co.uk

The Spain midfielder Xavi has been named the best player at Euro 2008 by Uefa's technical committee. The 28-year-old Barcelona midfielder, the heartbeat of his team's midfield during the tournament, was voted the Castrol player of the tournament by a nine-strong panel of Uefa's technical experts.
There was no place for Cristiano Ronaldo in the 23-man squad of the tournament, which included the Manchester United's keeper Edwin van der Sar, Michael Ballack and José Bosingwa from Chelsea, Arsenal's Cesc Fábregas, Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and Tottenham-bound midfielder Luka Modric.
Uefa's technical director Andy Roxburgh explained Ronaldo's absence was due to the fact Portugal did not progress further in the tournament. "This is entirely about the tournament and not about reputations or how well you started," he said. "Of course he was mentioned - and if Portugal had gone further, there's no argument he has been in this group because he's a fantastic player. He was in our Champions League all-star squad for the season, and the beginning of the tournament he threatened he was going to be in this one. But then it came abruptly to an end. When it comes to a squad of the tournament, those that go to semis and final dominate things like this."
Nine of the 23 players in the squad of the tournament were Spanish, but Roxburgh said Xavi stood out. "We think he epitomised the Spanish style of play - he was extremely influential," Roxburgh added. "We are not all that surprised, because for more than a decade now the top youth teams in Europe have been Spanish and we have been watching Xavi and others in this squad from a very young age. Torres scored the winner in a youth final, and Fábregas was the star of the Under-17s. In this tournament, Fábregas' influence in the periods when he did play was extremely significant."
Roxburgh also singled out the Germany captain Ballack for praise. "Ballack was a major influence on Germany all the way to the final and he scored the best set-play goal of the competition with his free-kick against Austria," said Roxburgh.
Uefa's squad of the tournament:

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Italy), Casillas (Spain), Van der Sar (Holland). Defenders: Bosingwa (Portugal), Lahm (Germany), Marchena (Spain), Pepe (Portugal), Puyol (Spain), Zhirkov (Russia). Midfielders: Hamit Altintop (Turkey), Modric (Croatia), Senna (Spain), Xavi (Spain), Zyryanov (Russia), Ballack (Germany), Fábregas (Spain), Iniesta (Spain), Podolski (Germany), Sneijder (Holland). Strikers: Arshavin (Russia), Pavlyuchenko (Russia), Torres (Spain), Villa (Spain).

Particularly liked this bit:

Uefa's technical director Andy Roxburgh explained Ronaldo's absence was due to the fact Portugal did not progress further in the tournament. "This is entirely about the tournament and not about reputations or how well you started," he said. "Of course he was mentioned - and if Portugal had gone further, there's no argument he has been in this group because he's a fantastic player. He was in our Champions League all-star squad for the season, and the beginning of the tournament he threatened he was going to be in this one. But then it came abruptly to an end. When it comes to a squad of the tournament, those that go to semis and final dominate things like this."

...as he then goes on to name Ronaldo's Portuguese team mates Bosingwa and Pepe, plus other losing quarter finalists Van der Sar, Modric and Sneijder in the team of the tournament

[Kiko]

Xavi?

Wow....I am a HUGE fan of Xavi. I think him and Iniesta are absolutely class players but i have to say i thought they were both a huge disappointment this tournament.

Spains midfield bar Senna never got going the whole tournament.

Thats a bizarre choice. He played some important assists but never was he anywhere close to the player of the tournament.

Senna, Casillas, Ramos better choices.

[Punter]

I am a HUGE fan of Xavi. I think him and Iniesta are absolutely class players but i have to say i thought they were both a huge disappointment this tournament.

Spains midfield bar Senna never got going the whole tournament.

A Huge dissapointment
Are you sure? Nobody in the Spanish team was a huge dissapointment, quite the opposite i'd say. Strange statement Keeks.