Plus the TRBA team of the tournament



ULTIMATELY, in a tournament that thrilled and excited from start to finish, and was dominated by a positive mind-set, it was fitting that the victor, Spain, was the team that kept the ball the best and built their wins on sustained and controlled bouts of possession that ultimately tired, then knocked out their opponents, one by one.

Only against Russia, in their tournament opener, were Spain ever on the receiving end in the possession stakes, and even there they countered with the ruthless efficiency that has not always been a hallmark of Spanish sides.

In the final, you may be surprised to learn, officially they were on the receiving end of the possession (51% to Germany), but it was clear Spain were in total control, all but for the first 10 minutes, and another 10 minute period at the beginning of the second half, around the time Ballack snatched at a half-chance on the edge of the box.

But it wasn’t just ball-to-feet possession for the sake of it, something we’ve often seen from Barcelona over the past two seasons. It was possession with a purpose.

Basically, it was all about movement of the ball, and movement off it. Combined, effectively, they are a potent combo. Keep the ball, keep the ball, keep the ball, then pounce.

Only in dribs and drabs have Spain been put under any sustained pressure throughout their six games. Russia took it to them for a while in the opener and Sweden had them under the cosh for about 15 minutes before half time on md2. Greece was the only team that managed to take the lead against them, only for Spain to build their way back to victory. In the knock-outs, Italy pulled out the white blanket and went down the smash-and-grab route, while the open Russians couldn’t touch The Fab Five – Fabregas, Iniesta, Xavi, Senna and Silva.

Otherwise, Aragones’ men have been able to take the high-ground in most of their games through an ability to keep the ball and run teams ragged. If you can’t get it off us, then how the bloody hell do you expect to score?

Here Germany really put them under some early pressure, and Spain, not surprisingly, looked nervous, but eventually, as Xavi, Senna and Iniesta started to get on the ball, with Torres always keen to provide a quick outlet, they took control.

One up at the break and it might have been more, as the Germans appeared at times to be chasing shadows, none more than the defensively burdened Ballack.

Germany had another crack early in the second period as Kuranyi added numbers and not much else to their attack, but eventually Spain took control, demonstrating a mental toughness and calmness that has rarely been seen by them, at least not in my time of watching major championships.

In the final 15 minutes, with Germany desperate for the ball, Spain’s ability to deny them it was masterful. No long ball into the corners. Just keep it, build it up, attract the fouls and presto, times up.

And speaking of time, on the evidence of this, let’s hope it’s not another 44 years before the Spaniards conquer again.

It’s been a brilliant tournament, with barely an unwatchable game among the 31. Not surprisingly, Aragones’s men feature quite prominently in my team of the tourni, shaped in the tournament’s standard formation, 4-5-1 (or 4-1-4-1);

-----------------------Casillas-----------------
Altintop-----Puyol------Simunic------Zhirkov
----------------------Senna-----------------------
---------------Modric-----Zyrianov--------------
Schweinsteiger------------------------Silva
----------------------Arshavin---------------------

Casillas; others like Boruc and van der Sar really caught the eye early, but Casillas had a certain poise throughout, looking like one of the world’s best keepers, which he is. Didn’t have to produce many saves, but when he did, they were vital, like the one with his left foot to deny Di Natale in the quarters. Oh, and the pens.

Altintop; did nothing special at right back for two and a half games, but when he was moved into midfield for the second half against the Czechs he cut loose, setting up all three goals. From there his tournament got better and better. After an incredible workrate against Croatia, he ran the show against Germany and was unlucky to finish a loser. Because of the number of quality central mids, he slots in at right back here. Lahm did ok, until the final two games, while Anyukov was impressive bombing on for Russia.

Puyol; Spain looked at their shakiest when Puyol limped off against Sweden, which sums up how important he was to their success. Ok, he might not be the greatest on the ball, but he’s a winner, and didn’t Spain need that. Strong in the air and fiercely competitive.

Simunic; but for some problems out on the left in their opener against Austria, Croatia, for me, were the best defensive side along with Spain, and Simunic was the chief organiser. Always calm (except against Australia two years ago), his best games were against Germany and Turkey, especially the latter.

Zhirkov; in a tournament of excellent left backs (van Bronkhorst, Pranjic and Balta are others that come to mind), Zhirkov was an unstoppable driving force, often looking more like a left winger. Can also strike a volley and free-kick as good as anyone, and played his hand in a number of Russian goals, most thrillingly when he set-up Arshavin against Sweden.

Senna; in my Euros preview, I noted how important it was for Aragones to play Senna ahead of Alonso, mainly for the fact he adds a little more muscle and mobility to a midfield that isn’t short on passers What I didn’t factor in was how well he also distributes. One of the players of the tournament, Senna has provided wonderful balance, allowing Xavi, Iniesta, Silva and Fabregas to strut their stuff. Was also impressed with Russian captain Semak and Turkey’s Aurelio.

Schweinsteiger; after some poor form in the lead up, he started the tournament on the bench, but made enough impact against Poland and Croatia (before being red-carded) to warrant a start against Portugal. Solved Germany’s problems on the right by ducking in and getting himself a couple of goals.

Modric; plenty of hype in the build-up and on the evidence of his work here it was justified. Neat on the ball, he was outstanding against Germany and Turkey. If there was one criticism, he played a little too deep. Every time he got forward he created things. Sad to see him miss a penalty. Fabregas did some great things off the bench, while Iniesta and Xavi, quiet early, nailed the last two games.

Zyrianov; announced himself by hitting the post in the opener against Spain. It was his stock and trade, drifting into the box late to get on the end of things. As he did for Zenit in the Uefa Cup, he was everywhere, finally running out of gas against Spain. Gets in ahead of Sneijder, who was top-class in the first two games before disappearing.

Silva; for a little fella, such an ironman. While others like Iniesta and Xavi were being replaced, Silva was often seeing out matches. Blessed with a wonderful left peg, he started on the left, but did most of his best work on the right, cutting in and influencing Spain’s attack with his twinkle-toes. Gets in here ahead of Podolski, who started brilliantly but drifted away towards the end. Arda, had he not been suspended in the semi, might also have snuck in.

Arshavin; there were some very good performances from out-and-out strikers of the ilk of Villa, Pavlyuchenko, Nihat and Torres, but I’m giving the front-man birth to Russia’s little number 10, despite his anonymous semi final. In the two games he did play he was such an influence I felt it was impossible to leave him out.

Subs; van der Sar, Anyukov, Chiellini, Pranjic, Arda, Podolski, Sneijder, Fabregas, Villa, Pavlyuchecnko, Torres.