2024-07-17 13:28:27
The UEFA Euro 2024 finals, which saw 51 matches, were a showcase for the next generation of talented footballers, including the promising Spanish Lamine Jamal And the Turkish Arda Guler and the Englishman Kobe Mainoo, but many of them were under the radar, showed their abilities on the European stage.
Here, we highlight 5 stars who performed brilliantly at Euro 2024:
Dani Olmo (Spain)
The 26-year-old is well known in Germany after four years at RB Leipzig, but he has made everyone sit up and take notice of his credentials with a string of excellent performances.
After contributing to Spain’s big win over Georgia 4-1 in the round of 16 by scoring the fourth goal (83), Olmo came off the bench just 8 minutes into the quarter-final against Germany to replace the injured Pedri, scoring the first goal and setting up the second for Mikel Merino in extra time.
In the semi-final against France, Olmo’s goal in the 25th minute confirmed the victory after Jamal equalised (21), leading “La Roja” to the final match for the fifth time.
Olmo now has 3 goals, the most in the tournament, along with 2 assists despite starting just 3 of Spain’s 7 games.
Mark Guehi (England)
Playing in his first major international tournament, England’s Marc Guehi quickly established himself at the heart of Gareth Southgate’s wretched defence.
At just 23, he has been calm and confident alongside John Stones at centre-back, with England conceding just three goals in five games with Guehi on the pitch. When he was suspended for England’s quarter-final against Switzerland due to an accumulation of yellow cards, some wondered how the Three Lions could replace the Crystal Palace centre-back, given his importance to the squad.
Guehi also contributed in attack, providing the assist for Jude Bellingham’s last-16 equaliser against Slovakia that saved England from an early exit from the tournament and kept them on track in their quest for a first European Championship title.
Cody Gakpo (Netherlands)
Dutch striker Cody Gakpo helped the Oranje reach the semi-finals of the European Championship for the first time in 20 years, before losing 2-1 to England.
The orange shirt seems to bring out the best in the 25-year-old whose impressive performances at the World Cup in Qatar led to a big-money move to English giants Liverpool.
Gakpo scored the equaliser in the Netherlands’ 2-1 win over Poland in the group stage, while his opener in the 3-0 win over Romania in the last 16 helped calm nerves in a tense encounter. The impetuous Gakpo also forced Turkey defender Murat Muldor into an own goal in the quarter-finals (2-1).
Giorgi Mamardashvili (Georgia)
Napoli striker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia may have been the biggest name in his country’s squad at the tournament, but the giant Giorgi Mamardashvili stood tall as Georgia reached the last 16 for the first time in their history.
Just one centimetre short of two metres, Mamardashvili’s presence between the posts was a calming presence for Georgia in their first ever European Championship appearance.
The 23-year-old goalkeeper made 30 saves in four matches, the second-most in European Cup history after Russia’s Igor Akinfeev’s 32 in 2008.
Mamardashvili’s performance will come as no surprise to La Liga fans, with the Valencia keeper considered among the best in Spain this season.
Marcel Sabitzer (Austria)
Austrian midfielder Sabitzer was a key player in Borussia Dortmund’s stunning run to the Champions League final and has continued his fine form at Euro 2024.
Austria took the lead in Group D, which included France and the Netherlands, who reached the semi-finals, and were expected to be the dark horses of the tournament until they surprisingly lost in the round of 16 to Turkey (1-2) in harsh circumstances.
The 30-year-old scored the winner in the 80th minute to secure Austria’s first place after firing under the bar from a tight angle.
Sabitzer was a constant goal threat, especially from long range, and his boundless energy was key for Austria under German coach Ralf Rangnick.
Last updated: July 15, 2024 – 18:22
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2024-07-17 13:28:27