On Sunday evening, the curtain drew upon the 2024 European Championships as Spain were crowned Champions of Europe for a fourth time.
The tournament was special, with so many unforgettable moments etched into the minds of football fans across the continent.
There were breakout stars, world-class performances and wonder goals - topped off with the final appearance at the Euros from some of the game's greats.
It was truly an unforgettable month, which culminated in Spain enforcing back-to-back European Championship final defeats upon England.
The official Team of the Tournament left some shocks, so what better way to round off an incredible campaign than with our writers picking out their standout stars.
-
Team of the Tournament
Goalkeeper
By Freddie Dorman
These European Championships had some of the greatest goalkeepers from all around the continent on display, including the likes of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Jan Oblak and Manuel Neuer – but it is Georgia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili who makes it into our Team of the Tournament following his, quite frankly, heroic displays.
The Valencia keeper made 29 saves for his country in just four matches – 11 more than his challenger for top spot Bart Verbruggen – as Georgia valiantly bowed out in the last 16 to the eventual winners Spain.
In the group stage alone, Mamardashvilli made 21 saves, and according to expected goals on target (xGOT), he prevented a further 3.6 goals. However, viewers did not need stats to know just how good he was, with the 23-year-old also passing the eye test with flying colours after saving shots he should not have even got close to.
Even before the tournament Mamardashvilli - nicknamed as the ‘Georgian Wall’ - was being linked with several top European clubs such as Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich, but his outstanding performances this summer will only have skyrocketed his transfer value.
Mamardashvilli has reiterated in recent weeks that he will only move to a club where he is guaranteed to be number one, so while we wait to see who comes in with a big offer for him, he can be VAVEL’s number one goalkeeper at Euro 2024.
Defenders
RB: Dani Carvajal
By Sam Elliott
Dani Carvajal has done it again – 2024 marks his first European Championship triumph; but it was certainly not his first rodeo at the top of European football.
With his club being crowned Champions League winners, Carvajal was only able to play a finite part in La Roja’s warm-up games - featuring for just 45 minutes against Northern Ireland ahead of their opener against Croatia in Berlin.
However, the lack of preparation didn't phase the ever-present Real Madrid full-back as he put in a marvellous display in Spain's 3-0 win over Croatia - his licence to get forward and press were notable features on the day, which culminated with a goal for the 32-year-old.
Carvajal’s strong performances continued into the knockout stage. Yet, the full-back endured a moment to forget against host Germany when he was shown a second yellow card for a last-man challenge on Jamal Musiala in the dying moments of Spain’s quarter-final victory.
Forced to watch on from the stands as Spain beat France in the semi-final, Carvajal was available for selection again in the final - which would have been a big relief for his teammates and Spanish supporters.
As expected, the right-back started in the final, conjuring a masterful performance. The veteran provided stability for the flying freedom in the youth of Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal, allowing Spain to play with versatility - having strong defensive foundations while offering a penetrative attacking threat.
His ability to mute the ever-dangerous Bukayo Saka across 90 minutes handed the Madridista a second European crown in the space of two months. It could go down as the last tournament for his international career, but it would be some way for Carvajal to have bowed out in Red.
CB: William Saliba
By Jak Netting
When William Saliba was named in France's Euro 2024 squad, few could have imagined just how fundamental he would prove to be for Les Bleus.
The Arsenal star has previously only ever been a bit-part player for Didier Deschamps, playing behind the likes of Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate, but this time was different... very different.
After impressing in their warm-up match against Poland, the 23-year-old was given a rare competitive start for France, in their Euro 2024 opener, a 1-0 win against Austria.
After the victory in Dusseldorf, Saliba was reported to have "seduced" France's national team coaches, meaning it was no surprise that he kept his starting place alongside Upamecano for the remainder of the tournament.
In a sign of just how confident Saliba is when in possession, he boasted an impressive 97 per cent passing accuracy per game, while losing possession an average of just 2.7 times per game (compared to Upamecano's 6.5).
Saliba ended Euro 2024 as one of France's most important players, which is remarkable given that Deschamps said: "He also does things that I don't like so much. For France, he has limited game time, but when he plays, that hasn't necessarily gone well," about the defender as recently as March.
Saliba's immense talent has been common knowledge among Arsenal fans for some time, but there can be no doubt that he has now announced himself on the world's stage - and placed himself among the best defenders in the world.
CB: Marc Guehi
By Bobby Manzi
Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi is England’s only inclusion in our Team of the Tournament, and what a campaign he had. The Englishman was a standout star in Gareth Southgate’s side throughout their inadequate showings.
In his first major tournament, the 24-year-old was outstanding in defence, he was assured, strong and didn’t look out of place after making the step-up to the European Championships.
Guehi’s performances at Euro 2024 have ensured he will be a crucial figure going forward for The Three Lions with the defender likely to be an England starter for years to come.
The South Londoner featured in all but one of England’s games with his displays against Serbia, Slovakia and The Netherlands standing out.
Whenever he was called into action, he reacted calmly - if he made a mistake he recovered, and he was ever-reliable when called into action.
The Cobham Academy product was unwavering in possession, completing 418 passes with an accuracy of 93.5%.
Guehi’s standout trait was his consistent ability to win duels and make recoveries. He won more aerial duels (12) than any other England player, while he also led the team for blocks (6). He had an impeccable rate of ground duels too, winning 24 in his six starts.
However, his biggest positive was scarcely beaten by his man, being dribbled past just once during the tournament.
Unblemished throughout the Euros, Guehi has certainly earned himself a spot in the conversation among the best defenders in the Premier League
LB: Marc Cucurella
By Bobby Manzi
It can’t be understated how pivotal Marc Cucurella was to Spain’s journey to their crowning as Champions of Europe.
His performance against Italy during the group stages epitomised his glowing showings. The left-back pressed with extreme intensity, never stopped working and was consistently everywhere. Whenever Spain were dispossessed, he was the first man to shut the opposition down and win the ball back for his side, enabling a quick, incisive attack to follow.
Situated on the left-flank, the defender tackled with tenacity and provided tremendous support for Nico Williams throughout the tournament.
His defensive solidity gave Williams the licence to attack freely on the left, without having to worry about the situation behind him. Cucurella’s 94.6% passing accuracy furthered him as a dependable asset for Luis de la Fuente’s side on their way to winning the European Championships.
Cucurella’s reading of the game was second to none over the course of Euro 2024, winning 64% of his duels, while making eight interceptions, ten clearances and 12 tackles.
From Chelsea’s outcast to one of the best performers at Euro 2024, it was a transformative summer for Cucurella.
Midfield
CM: Rodri
By Conor Dunmore
After winning everything in club football for Manchester City, Rodri only had one thing left to prove coming into this tournament. Could he lead his country to glory?
The 28-year-old answered that question with a definitive yes, starting every single game at the heart of midfield for Spain as they went on to win the tournament.
The midfielder was subbed at half-time in the final, but that did not stop him being announced by UEFA as the Player of the Tournament.
His. performance against Georgia in the Round of 16 saw him pick up the opening goal and Player of the Match award in just one of his mouth-watering performances for La Roja.
Rodri is now unbeaten for Spain in 15 games and is a firm favourite to contend for this season's Ballon D’or alongside Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr.
CM: Fabio Ruiz
By Aryn Matthee
The Paris Saint Germain midfielder was influential in Spain’s Euro 2024 success, scoring twice and contributing two assists. Fabian Ruiz started six of Spain’s seven games, being one of the ten players rested for the final group game after La Roja had already qualified.
Starting on the left-side of a midfield pivot, Fabian was given more of a license to advance and rotate into different areas, while Rodri was anchored in front of the Spanish defence - enabling Fabian to be at the heart of Spain’s in possession structure.
This meant Fabian was pivotal in controlling possession and advancing Spain progressively, ranking in the 90th percentile for progressive passes and 87th percentile for progressive carries (both stats per 90 minutes versus other midfielders at Euro 2024 via FBref).
This allowed Spain to break through opposition defensive lines and allowed Fabian to link up effectively with his teammates in wide areas, as Spain looked to utilise combinations in the flanks to create effective overloads.
Fabian was also very effective in the aggressive La Roja man-to-man press, leaving Rodri to protect the defence whilst Fabian pushed on to support his teammates, ranking in the 96th percentile for tackles in the attacking third (per 90 minutes versus other midfielders at Euro 2024 via FBref).
CAM: Dani Olmo
By Henry Swain
As talented a player as Olmo is, few would have predicted him to enter the fray for Spain, let alone play such a vital role in their path to glory.
Offered his first start at Euro 2024 in Spain’s final group game, Olmo assisted the only goal of the game as he thread an inch-perfect through ball into the path of Ferran Torres, a pass which alerted the masses to the fact that this lad can play.
Back to the bench for the Round of 16, Olmo netted an 83rd-minute strike to extend Spain’s victory to 4-1 over tournament sweethearts Georgia.
In a moment that appeared devastating for Luis de la Fuente’s side as Pedri limped off the pitch in Olmo stepped up, putting his side 1-0 up before setting up Mikel Merino’s 119th-minute winner.
He made the position his own, starting the semi-final against France. With the score level in the 25th minute, the ball fell his way via a deflected cross, Olmo controlling with laces, the most elegant of second touches flicking the ball beyond Tchouaméni and firing Spain into the final.
As England pressed for a late equaliser in the Final, Olmo conjured up the biggest moment of his career, clearing off the line to deny Guéhi, winning the Euros for his nation.
A joy to watch throughout.
Attack
RW: Lamine Yamal
By Jon Hanna
Deservedly named Young Player of the Tournament, the Spanish starlet could still be eligible for that award at the next Euros in 2028, just in case anyone wasn’t sure of his age. Showing his breakout season at Barcelona was just the start, he oozed attacking talent in each of Spain’s seven victories.
Yamal was key to the exciting style of play Spain produced throughout the tournament and instrumental in their final victory, setting up the opening goal - one of four assists he provided during the competition.
He also scored the Goal of the Tournament to equalise in the semi-final against France, dragging Rabiot inside and out before delivering an inch perfect curler into the top corner from outside the box.
It wasn’t just his attacking flair that guaranteed his place in this team of the tournament, he demonstrated maturity, work rate and excellent defensive awareness throughout - regularly supporting his full-back in closing down Saka early in the final, for example.
If he wasn’t already, he is now beyond being discussed as a player who is destined for the very top.
By Will Hugall
In a tournament otherwise bereft of standout strikers, Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze lit the blue touch paper and ensured his nation had a month to remember.
While many would have expected Khvicha Kvaratshkhelia to be the firepower behind any Georgian upset in Group F, 23-year-old Mikautadze was the hero instead, stealing the limelight and earning himself a dream transfer to Olympique Lyonnais as a result.
What the Lyon-born player offered that few other strikers did at Euro 2024 was directness.
He relished running with the ball and putting defenders on the back foot, combining superbly with Kvarashkhelia.
The pair terrorised defences even of the quality of Portugal and Spain, and when not racing away on the counter, he ensured Willy Sagnol’s side had a constant attacking outlet in more even games against Turkey and Czechia.
Ironically, none of Mikautadze’s three goals at the tournaments were great strikes, having scuffed an effort underneath Turkish goalkeeper Mert Günok before netting penalties against Czechia and Portugal.
While other strikers scored great goals but were inconsistent across 90 minutes, though, Mikautadze offered a constant threat and held his nerve superbly in the pressure moments; positions that no Georgian had ever faced under the independent Jvarosnebi emblem.
Coming out of the tournament with an Order of Honour medal, his cut of the 30 million lari promised by former prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and a dream move back to his birthplace, it’s fair to say Euro 2024 was memorable for Mikautadze.
LW: Nico Williams
By Harrison Nathan
Although all eyes were focusing on the then sixteen-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, another Spanish winger has announced himself to the world after his highly impressive showings at Euro 2024.
The Athletic Bilbao man registered two goals and one assist in his six appearances at the competition and proved to be a handful for defender, including the usually reliable Kyle Walker - who he dominated in the final.
With lightning speed and elite ball mastery skills, the 22-year-old, who was named in the UEFA Team of the Tournament, showed immense qualities which has gained interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including the likes of Barcelona and Chelsea.
Williams is not your typical modern-day footballer. He wants to take defenders on at speed and create dangerous moments. His displays this summer have offered a huge sighting of his ability for those who don’t regularly watch Spanish football.
Without him, Spain seemed far less threatening, and it’s only a matter of time before he earns himself a big money move away from the Basque club.
What a silky player!
-
Substitutes
By Callum Buchanan
In a tournament which saw many of Gareth Southgate’s England squad put in lacklustre showings, Jordan Pickford was a shining light as he competed in his fourth major tournament as England’s number one.
During the group stage Pickford was largely untested and didn’t have to pull of anything miraculous as England boasted a very good defensive record early on in the tournament.
Where he did shine, however, was during The Three Lions quarter-final tie with Switzerland, saving the first penalty in the shootout from Manuel Akanji. Diving low to his left after doing his normal routine before the kick, along with reading observing that infamous water bottle.
Although England ended up falling short in the final, Pickford continued to show how good a goalkeeper he is. Making two tremendous saves to keep his team in the game at the time. Yes, he was on the losing side but he was one player who could stake a claim to have ended up winning the tournament.
By Aryn Matthee
Manuel Akanji was a phenomenon at the heart of the Switzerland defence as his national team progressed to the quarter-finals to match their best Euros campaign.
The Manchester City defender was an essential part to the Red Cross' success, offering key defensive contributions, as well as acting as a quarterback and initiating Switzerland attacks.
Akanji used his pace effectively at the heart of the back three, acting as a sweeper and using his physical prowess to successfully win his duels.
The Swiss Nati defender would also demonstrate his forward ability, ranking in the 97th percentile for goal-creation actions per 90 minutes amongst other central defenders at Euro 2024 (via FBref).
Ferdi Kadıoğlu
By Joe Turner
A relatively unknown entity prior to Euro 2024, it would not have been remiss of you to have not recognised the name Ferdi Kadioglu.
However, following his stellar performances at the tournament for Türkiye, he has garnered lots of attention, and justifiably so. Crucial to his nation's advancement to the quarter-finals, the 24-year-old's last-16 display against Austria was among the best in the competition.
He set a record by covering a distance of 12.2 kilometers (7.58 miles) during the match. Also, the Fenerbahçe starlet’s tenacity to win duals, recover loose balls, and make interceptions stood out.
What’s even more impressive was the consistency to his performances, despite being deployed in various positions—the versatility king.
It is fair to say Türkiye overachieved this finals, and Kadioglu was instrumental in ensuring that. Unlucky not to make the starting eleven, the Spanish contingent pipped him at the post but narrowly.
N’Golo Kante
By Sam Leah
Kante was a somewhat unexpected selection in the French squad, albeit the midfielder made his two-year hiatus from international football seem meaningless as he emerged as a standout performer for Les Bleus.
He played the full 90 minutes in four of France's six games at the tournament, keeping a clean sheet in all four games, demonstrating just how much of an impact he can make.
His skillset as a player is immense, and it was on display in Germany. Whether it was vital tackles and interceptions or his potent tactical interpretation of the game and upfield ball progression - the midfielder was world-class.
He also showed off his passing ability further upfield as he looked to create good chances for the French forward line.
On top of his glowing performances, Kante broke records in Germany, as he reached 20 consecutive games unbeaten at major European tournaments, albeit losing the streak after France’s semi-final exit to Spain.
He has proved many doubters wrong and shown that even at 33 years old, he can still perform at the highest level.
This is perhaps not the place to discuss the consequences of Brexit, but Jamal Musiala moving back to his native Germany as a result is a pertinent one.
Representing England at various youth levels, he would have to decide who to play for in senior football. Starring from the age of 17 for Bayern Munich meant this decision was always going to be significant - for him and the respective nations.
He chose Die Mannschaft. Not to immediate success, with only two goals in 29 appearances during some dismal years for German standards. Then came the home Euros.
This past summer has seen Musiala mature into a firm fixture of Germany’s future. Under the management of former Bayern coach Julian Naglesmann, he lit up attacks with jinking dribbles and cool finishes.
By Bobby Manzi
From penalty heartbreak in 2021 to England’s finest attacker at Euro 2024, Bukayo Saka has shown immense character in the three years since the devastating night at Wembley.
The Arsenal attacker showed grit and determination throughout this summer's European Championship, proving to be England’s most threatening player, with Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane often ghosting.
At times, he was left to run the attacking show by himself and considering his lack of support, he always looked dangerous for The Three Lions during their run to the final.
With two goal contributions, including a solo stunner to keep England in the competition and a stunning spot-kick against Switzerland in the shootout, Saka gave England supporters some incredible memories in Germany.
By Tom Pickett
Ranking third at Euro 2024 for goal contributions (3 goals + 1 assist) Gakpo was a constant menace for opposing defences.
Ronald Koeman’s attacking configuration was prone to change, with the Dutch manager opting for ‘Plan B’ forwards. However, Gakpo persisted as a prominent player, playing 523 minutes for the semi-finalists - the most minutes of any midfielder or forward in the Netherlands squad.
Gakpo was the competition’s joint-top scorer, along with five other players, and can consider himself unlucky not to have won the Golden Boot outright, with UEFA's goals committee deeming The Oranje's second goal in their quarter-final clash with Turkey as a Mert Mulder own goal.
A stellar campaign from the Liverpool forward who will be hoping performances at Euro 2024 will serve as a catalyst to succeed under new manager Arne Slot.
