Here’s a rewritten version of the article in a more engaging and conversational tone:
The Best and Worst of Euro 2024: Ian Darke’s Expert Analysis
As the curtains close on another thrilling European Championship, it’s time to reflect on the standout performers and the underwhelming ones. I’ve had the privilege of calling Euro 2024 games for ESPN, and trust me, it’s been an absolute blast. Here are my Best XI and Most Disappointing XI picks, along with my thoughts on the tournament’s highs and lows.
Best XI
- Giorgi Mamardashvili (Georgia) – The Valencia keeper was a revelation, making crucial saves to help his underdogs reach the knockout stages.
- Jules Koundé (France) – The Barcelona defender was solid at the back, even when facing the electric Nico Williams of Spain.
- Antonio Rüdiger (Germany) – The Chelsea center-back was rock-solid for Germany, keeping opponents at bay with his commanding presence.
- Tijjani Reijnders (Netherlands) – The Milan midfielder was a driving force for the Dutch, making late runs into the box to cause problems for opponents.
- Arda Güler (Turkey) – The 19-year-old Real Madrid playmaker showed flashes of brilliance, creating scoring chances for his teammates.
- Lamine Yamal (Spain) – The 17-year-old Spanish phenom was a game-changer, scoring crucial goals and providing assists for his teammates.
- Nico Williams (Spain) – The Athletic Club winger was a handful for opponents, using his pace and skill to terrorize defenders.
- Niclas Fullkrug (Germany) – The Werder Bremen striker found the net twice, bringing a much-needed goal-scoring threat to the German attack.
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – The legendary forward, although struggling with fitness issues, still managed to deliver crucial penalties and goals.
Most Disappointing XI
- Angus Gunn (Scotland) – The Watford keeper never recovered from a rough opening night, letting in crucial goals that doomed his team’s chances.
- Josip Sutalo (Croatia) – The AC Milan center-back struggled to fill the shoes of the legendary Dejan Lovren, letting in crucial goals for Croatia.
- Ryan Porteous (Scotland) – The Aston Villa defender was exhausted, lacking the usual vigor and enthusiasm that has made him a fan favorite.
- Federico Chiesa (Italy) – The Juventus star was a shadow of his former self, failing to deliver the goods despite Italy’s promising start.
- Antoine Griezmann (France) – The Atletico Madrid forward, despite being a World Cup winner, was underwhelming, failing to score in a major tournament for the first time.
- Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary) – The Liverpool midfielder, expected to lead Hungary’s charge, struggled to find his form and make an impact.
- John McGinn (Scotland) – The Aston Villa midfielder was tired, lacking the energy and enthusiasm that has made him a fans’ favorite.
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – Yes, I know he’s a legend, but at 39, even his usual brilliance couldn’t make up for Portugal’s lackluster display.
- Kylian Mbappé (France) – The 23-year-old superstar struggled with an eye injury, failing to score a single goal in the tournament.
There you have it – my take on the highs and lows of Euro 2024. What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with my picks? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments!
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