Closing off Euro 2008

The dust has begun to settle on the 2008 European Championships, as indicated by the publication of the Squad of the Tournament. In a typically political exercise, our chums at UEFA have contrived to pick practically half the continent's available players in a squad of 23, rather than the more accustomed team of the tournament. Who cares who you thought was the 3rd best keeper – Van der Sar apparently - was he better than Artur Boruc who kept Poland in every game they played.

For better or worse here’s my XI –playing 4-1-3-2. And is it possible not to pick Spain’s entire midfield in team of the tournament? (Apologies Andres Iniesta).

GK – Boruc, LB – Zhirkov, CB – Puyol, CB - Simunic, RB - Altintop
DM – Senna
LM – Silva, CM – Xavi, RM - Fabregas
CF – Arshavin, CF - Torres

Tough luck on Michael Ballack who continues to carry a poor German team to heights they should never achieve. Commiserations to Van Der Sar for an excellent final tournament. Finally well done to Turkey and Croatia for showing up some of the more fancied nations, with a level of skill and commitment that was a credit to them.

A team of flops would be much more interesting – let’s hear it for Mario Gomes (worst miss ever) and Luca Toni (most misses in one match), Portugal’s Ricardo (when do you come to catch a cross?) most of the German defence (unable to win the ball near their own area), and anyone in the French team who’d previously won anything (bus pass trophy).

The one bright spot is Xavi of Spain being named the top individual player. Based on his displays throughout the tournament, and off the back of his Barcelona form, we know he's not just a flash in the pan (see previous Arshavin comments about big games?), more so a prime exponent of the killer pass for whichever forward is lucky enough to play ahead of him. Pushed hard for his place by the ever more impressive Fabregas, he looks a firm foundation on which Pep Guardiola (another great midfielder) can start to rebuild Barca.

I’m pleased to say Spain thoroughly deserved to win Euro 2008, my only regret is that after tipping them very heavily to all and sundry, I then forgot to put a bet on. Still, with my money on them, they’d have had no chance.