Euro 2012 team of the tournament

Dilanka MANNAKKARA

An intense and incident filled Euro 2012 is over as once again with the Spanish team emerging champions for the second consecutive time, making them one of the few teams to win three major world titles in Football. Lets look at the exceptional players of the tournament who made it to a final playing 11.

Goalkeeper Iker Casillas (Spain)

Admittedly, Spain's goalkeeper has been a spectator for large swathes of the last three weeks. But he also made arguably the tournament's outstanding save, to deny Croatia's Ivan Rakitic, a crucial penalty block from Portugal's Joao Moutinho in the semi-final shootout and several stops in the final. Along the way, 'Saint Iker' became the most successful captain in international football.

Defenders Phililp Lahm (Germany)

Everything that was good about Germany went through their captain Philip Lahm. Also scored an important solo goal against Greece to open the scoring and see Die Maanschaft's into the semi final.

Sergio Ramos (Spain)

Must be one of the fittest footballers in the world. The way he got from back to front throughout every game was simply sensational considering he has just come off the back of a 55 game season. His penalty in the semi final against Portugal was that of a cheeky striker, not a centre half.

Pepe (Portugal)

Those who thought they knew Pepe, think again. The uncompromising hatchet man has been one of the cleanest defenders in Euro 2012, committing only three fouls in five games. He has also been one of the best, combining superbly with Bruno Alves to keep a clean sheet against Spain and impress against Germany and Holland. A commanding figure.

Jordi Alba (Spain):

Tore defences to shreds bombing up and down the left flank right throughout the tournament. With full backs like him, who needs strikers. His goal in the final was the highlight of the final and arguably the tournament.

Midfielders / Forwards André Pirlo (Italy):

Probably the player of the tournament up until the final. His penalty against England turned the tide of the quarter final, his distribution in the semi final saw the Azzurri overcome Germany. Was man of the match three times during the tournament, including the quarter-final and semi-final.

Andreas Iniesta (Spain):

Fernando Torres said on the eve of the European Championship:

"I have played with Andres Iniesta since we were 15 years old. I have never, ever seen him play badly."

Euro 2012 proved the same for the little master. Man of the match three times during the tournament, including the final. Player of the tournament.

Xabi Alonso (Spain):

Consistent passing quality and not afraid to put a foot in from the Madrid midfielder. Scored a brace on his 100th cap to see Spain through to the semi finals against a belligerent French team.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal):

The Portuguese captain was their talisman in their run to the semi final. His performance against the Czech Republic in the quarter-final was simply sensational and deserved more than the one (match winning) goal he scored in that game. Ran out of steam somewhat in the semis against Spain, but always looked dangerous on the ball.

Mario Balotelli (Italy):

Deserves to be in the team for his bludgeoning performance against Germany in the semi-final alone which yielded two goals which were the difference between the teams in that semi-final. His second goal in that game was undoubtedly the solo goal of the tournament. Italy were exhausted by the time the final came along. They had left everything in the semi-final which was a pity as they, and Balotelli, had, against the odds, brought much to the tournament.

Mesut Özil (Germany):

Germany's star man, he orchestrated everything from midfield. Man of the match twice during the tournament, including Germany's quarter final win over Greece.