Euro 2020 has been the gift that has kept on giving and has without question, been one of the most entertaining major tournaments in recent history. From last-minute goals to penalty shootouts to major upsets, Euro 2020 has had it all and today, we at Man’s Life are going to be handing out our awards for some of the best performances at this memorable tournament.
BEST PLAYER
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Admittedly, there hasn’t been a standout player of Euro 2020 with plenty of candidates – Harry Maguire, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Pedri, Leonardo Bonucci and Paul Pogba – deserving of the award. However, our Man’s Life player of the tournament has to go to one of the most consistent attacking threats throughout the competition, Raheem Sterling.
The Manchester City forward scored the winning goal for England in three of their first four games and played a big part in both goals scored in the semi-final. Sterling was almost untouchable at times this summer with his pace, movement and dribbling and reminded the footballing world why he is considered as one of the best attackers in the game.
BEST YOUNG PLAYER
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Youngsters such as Damsgaard and Donnarumma have all exceeded expectations this summer but the standout winner out here is Spain starlet Pedri. Pedri has played nearly every minute of Spain’s campaign at Euro 2020, and his astonishing rise has finally helped Spain find the true heir to Xavi and Andres Iniesta’s throne.
The 18-year-old wonder-kid has been the conductor of Spain’s midfield orchestra this summer and has surpassed all expectations with his performances. The Barcelona midfielder showed a level of maturity that is unheard of for someone of his age, and finished the tournament with the most shot-creating actions (27) and passes into the final third (65).
BEST GOAL
There have been plenty of goals that got you off your seat at this tournament’s Euros including Kevin de Bruyne’s rocket against Denmark, Paul Pogba’s curler vs Switzerland and Mikkel Damsgaard’s screamer against England. However, the best goal at the tournament has to be given to Patrik Schick for his outrageous strike against Scotland at Hampden Park. The Leverkusen striker spotted Scottish goalkeeper David Marshall off his line and curled a lofted shot from the halfway line straight into the empty net to give the Czech Republic a crucial 2-0 victory.
BEST MATCH
Spain–Italy, France–Switzerland, Germany–Portugal were all some of the most entertaining matches of the summer with plenty of goal-mouth action and world-class performances. However, the best match of the tournament has to be the Round of 16 tie between Spain and Croatia that ended 5-3 to La Roja. From freak own goals, to comebacks, to last-minute winners, this tie had it all and was simply the most exhilarating spectacle of the tournament.
Croatia took the early lead after a bizarre own-goal from Spain before Luis Enrique’s side dominated the proceedings to make it 3-1 in the second half. Croatia were on the brink of elimination but rallied to make it 3-3 with two goals in the final five minutes, but Spain eventually proved their class in extra-time and progressed through to the quarter-finals.
BEST STADIUM
With Euro 2020 being played in 11 cities across Europe, there have been a variety of different stadiums and atmospheres in this cross-continental tournament. While some stadiums have been largely lifeless (Baku), there have been plenty of grounds which have added a different level of buzz to the matches and elevated the tension.
The most special stadium atmosphere belongs to Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium. While restrictions in Denmark meant that the Parken was almost at full capacity for most games, the closeness of the fans to the pitch added to the atmosphere at the Parken, and the outpouring of emotion in Denmark’s 4-1 victory over Russia was a true sight to behold.
BEST KIT
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Unfortunately, there is only one winner for this award and that has to be the Germany away kit. You can’t really go wrong with a black kit in football, but when you add the excellent black stripes on the shoulder and the black badges, it just takes the design to a different level. Although Germany weren’t able to do much damage while wearing this iconic strip at Euro 2020 – losing to England in the last 16 – the black-on-black kit itself unquestionably deserves its place in the pantheon of great football kits.
FEEL-GOOD MOMENT OF THE TOURNAMENT
There have been plenty of moments that tugged at the heartstrings at this tournament. The entire Danish team forming a wall following Christian Eriksen’s collapse while fighting back the tears was a powerful image that will stay with us forever. However, one other moment showed the true beauty of sport and what being part of a team really is. (As seen in the clip above) Kalvin Phillips ran 83km throughout the tournament, but still had the energy and compassion to sprint towards the disconsolate Bukayo Saka and console him after the 19-year-old missed the crucial penalty.
[Image Credit: UEFA Euro 2020]
Shivaan Shah