Euro 2016 - Team of the Tournament

THE party may have barely died down in Lisbon following Portugal's maiden major championship success, but the show is over back in France following a Euro 2016 which has fizzled intermittently rather than consistently.
Leon Wobschall's Team of Euro 2016. Agree?Leon Wobschall's Team of Euro 2016. Agree?
Leon Wobschall's Team of Euro 2016. Agree?

But before we turn our thoughts to the forthcoming domestic campaign and quickly gloss over England’s considerable travails, a bit of house-keeping is required before we sign off.

Namely, our Yorkshire Post Team of the Tournament. After plenty of deliberation, here we go (with a 3-5-2 formation, folks ...

Rui Patricio (Portugal)

LAST LINE OF DEFENCE: Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio. (AP/Michael Sohn)LAST LINE OF DEFENCE: Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio. (AP/Michael Sohn)
LAST LINE OF DEFENCE: Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio. (AP/Michael Sohn)
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Made seven saves in the final against France to guild an excellent tournament. Dependable in going for crosses and an accomplished shot-stopper and a calming influence. A very impressive last line of defence.

Leonardo Bonucci (Italy)

The pick of a mighty Azzurri defensive crop. Uncanny ability to read the game and sniff out danger, the Juventus man is also good in the air, strong and blessed with the passing ability of a top-class midfielder. Small wonder that Pep Guardiola tabled a monster £38m bid to sign him from Juventus.

Jerome Boateng (Germany)

Italy's Leonardo Bonucci marks Ireland's James Mcclean. Picture: AP/Darko VojinovicItaly's Leonardo Bonucci marks Ireland's James Mcclean. Picture: AP/Darko Vojinovic
Italy's Leonardo Bonucci marks Ireland's James Mcclean. Picture: AP/Darko Vojinovic

The full defensive package with no weaknesses in his game and coming up to his peak, approaching his 28th birthday. Fired home a goal against Slovenia in the knock-out phases for good measure and did his bit in helping the Germans register four clean sheets.

Pepe (Portugal)

Assumed the leadership role following the early exit of Cristano Ronaldo in the final and drew upon all his big-game experience in a towering display. A superb reader of the game and possesses that sixth sense that all top central defenders require.

Joshua Kimmich (Germany)

Germany's Jerome BoatengAP/Michael SohnGermany's Jerome BoatengAP/Michael Sohn
Germany's Jerome BoatengAP/Michael Sohn
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Marked himself out as a star in the making after excelling in his first major tournament. A willing runner and raider down the right and dependable, accomplished and diligent. Expect him to win stacks more caps for Die Mannschaft over the next decade.

Aaron Ramsey (Wales)

Missed badly by the Welsh in their last-four loss to the Portuguese, with the Arsenal man having a high-class tournament, with his verve and industry pronounced from their opening game.

Blaise Matuidi (France)

Portugal's Pepe, right. AP/Darko Vojinovic.Portugal's Pepe, right. AP/Darko Vojinovic.
Portugal's Pepe, right. AP/Darko Vojinovic.

At the heart of things for France and if Antoine Greizmann and Dimitri Payet provided the class and intermittent brilliance, Matuidi proved the proverbial work-horse. Quick, direct and tenacious in the tackle and a good distributor.

Dmitri Payet (France)

His emotion after his last-gasp winner in the tournament opener with Romania was a lovely moment and the West Ham star added a few more cameos for Les Bleus with some memorable moments. Expect Europe’s top clubs to have noticed his searing exploits.

Gareth Bale (Wales)

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Indefatigable and carried the footballing torch of a proud nation. Ran defences ragged at times and scored in all three group games for Wales. The poster-boy of the Principality and a class act on and off the pitch, with his unquenchable spirit summing up Wales.

Antoine Griezmann (France)

Germany's Joshua Kimmich, right. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA.Germany's Joshua Kimmich, right. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA.
Germany's Joshua Kimmich, right. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA.

A sublimely-gifted footballer who is so pleasing on the eye. His six goals afforded him the Golden Boot with his delicious dinked goal against the Icelandics in the quarter-final being a particular highlight.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

His histrionics may not make him everyone’s cup of tea, but his sublime footballing skills have been pre-ordained from the Gods. His sumptuous flicked goal against Hungary in the group stages and majestic header in the semi-final against Wales represented two wonderful unmistakable tournament moments.

Substitutes: Buffon (Italy), Renato Sanches (Portugal), Kroos (Germany), Milik (Portugal), Chiellini (Italy).

Manager: Chris Coleman (Wales).

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Elevated Wales to a level which would scarcely have seemed credible just a couple of years ago. His star has never been higher. An honourable mention in dispatches to the victorious Portuguese boss Fernando Santos, whose sage game plan worked a treat.

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