Euro 2012 Player of the tournament

The Euros saw a lot of players come through who were relatively less known, it also saw players step up to the mark for their countries and replicate form they've been producing at club level. Here are my nominations for player of the tournament.

Barcelona new-boy Jordi Alba caught the eye at Euro 2012 at left-back in a Spain defence that has carried on its consecutive clean sheet record in major competition knock-out stages since Zinedine Zidane scored against them at World Cup 2006 in Germany. Alba was a stand-out performer because of his lesser reputation compared to the rest of the Spain defence, his marauding runs down the left-hand side of midfield to support his winger were just a small part of his all action, energetic displays. His competition was topped off with not just another clean sheet in the final but also a well taken goal that helped his country on the road to a 4 - 0 romp of Italy.

Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo was fresh off the back of an unbeaten season in Italy and he carried on his fine form in the Euros as Italy battled their way to the final with Pirlo pulling the strings in the midfield. His job in the Italy side was similar to that of a quarter-back in the NFL, whenever he was able to find pockets of space and pick out a pass, he did it with consummate ease. His free-kick against Croatia gave him the goal he deserved from the group stages and his dominant midfield performance in the quarter-final against England was shown when he completed more passes alone than the whole of the England midfield put together. Although he's seen as in the twilight of his career, the Italian playmaker had a renaissance of some sort during the Euro 2012 tournament by rolling back the clock and showing the whole of Europe how to dictate play.

German playmaker Mesut Ozil was central to Germany's path to the semi-finals of the competition as his creative skills were vital to helping his team ease their way through the 'Group of Death' unbeaten. His control on the ball was excellent, his vision and passing were a highlight of Germany's tournament which came to a shock end when they were beaten 2 - 1 by Italy in the semi-final in which Ozil scored his only goal of the tournament. 

Andres Iniesta is possibly the most consistent midfielder in the world, he controls games from the first minute to the last with his short passing and excellent movement. His partnership with Xavi was once again able to shine as their near telepathic understanding came to the fore again as Spain dominated a tournament which they were clear favourites for. Iniesta was awarded man of the match in four different matches, including the final against Italy.

My player of the tournament goes to the midfield maestro that is Andres Iniesta, he was selected officially as Euro 2012 player of the tournament and it shows why as he was able to eclipse all midfields he came up against. His four man of the match performances are a testament to how good a footballer Iniesta is, especially on the biggest stage.

Euro 2012 Review 1

The time has come where every woman in relationship shared homes has been waiting for, the moment where they hold that television remote aloft like Rafiki holding up Simba on Pride Rock, the Euros has finished. Everything was rosy for Spain as they won their third consecutive major honour after beating Italy 4 - 0 in the final. First half goals from David Silva and Barcelona new-boy Jordi Alba made the half-time score look relatively comfortable for the Spaniards, added to that were goals from Chelsea team-mates Fernando Torres and Juan Mata as Spain cruised to probably the highest win in Euro finals final history.

However, the Italians could take out a lot of positives from this tournament, they were 25/1 to win the tournament and massive dark-horses to get anywhere near the final with Germany looking hot favourites to make the final alongside Spain. The Italians dispatched of Germany in the semi-final by beating them 2 - 1 with two Mario Balotelli goals and this seemed to put the Italians in confident mood going into the final against the much fancied Spain. They also had arguably the player of the tournament in Andrea Pirlo who wound back the clock to produce many excellent performances throughout.

Several shocks happened in the tournament, all those weeks ago with Russia becoming one of those clubs knocked out at the group stage after taking control of their group so early on. Holland not producing the performances their talent deserved, also crashing out at the first hurdle and the almighty Germany not making the final.

And, here's the bit no-one wanted to hear.. what about England? England produced a typical tournament performance.. lacklustre going forward, solid defensively and got knocked out in the quarter-finals on penalties. But this was a different tournament, for once it wasn't a tournament steeped in expectancy but one that was brightened up by a nation that had wanted to get behind the nation through faith and patriotism which was a welcome break from the dismal backdrop of failed expectation.

Tomorrow I will be putting up a player of the tournament and team of the tournament which you can all sink your teeth into.