Soccer Tournaments

Euro 2008 Dream Team

This Euro 2008 Soccer Tournaments proved to be one of the finest championships in recent years. With this in mind here is my team of Euro 2008.

1 - Artur Boruc - Poland - Yes he only played three games and yes they were for Poland but how many saves did he make? Strachan will do well to keep him at Celtic next season.

2 - Jose Bosingwa - Portugal - Proved in Portugal’s campaign that he will be a good buy in a problematic position for Chelsea. Great going forward, effectively like another winger (like Portugal need another!)

3 - Yuri Zhirkov - Russia - Swashbuckling full back with a great pass and shot, no little skill and is also an accomplished defender when called upon.

4 - Carlos Puyol - Spain - One of the best players at the Euro’s. Not originally my favourite defender but has shown his class in this soccer tournament leading a questionable defence to Euro glory. (even if he did nearly let the Germans back in it in the final!)

5 - Robert Kovac - Croatia - Solid and a great leader at the back for Croatia. Lacks pace but plays with a real intelligence that few can match. Unfortunately for England will still be about for World Cup Qualification.

6 - Xavi Hernandez - Spain - Makes Spain and Barcelona tick whilst keeping possession unlike any player on the planet. Gets on with his business without wanting the attention and plaudits that lesser players demand. Exceptional movement off of the ball.

7 - Wesley Sneijder - Holland - The scorer of the best two goals of the Euro’s and a real livewire. Was the only player in the defeat to Russia who could walk off the pitch with his head held high.

8 - Deco - Portugal - Controls and passes like the South American he is. Supremely gifted player who was never blessed with pace but can see the game unfold in front of him and do as he pleases.

9 - Lukas Podolski - Germany - Arrived at the tournament out of form and lacking match fitness but it didn’t show. Scoring 3 goals and assisting on 2 for Schweinsteiger showed that even out on the left wing he can be a threat.

10 - David Villa - Spain - Golden boot winner and probably the best striker on show in a tournament lacking a real striking sensation. Great with both feet and an intelligent, instinctive finisher it would be a surprise to see him still at Valencia come September.

11 - Roman Pavlyuchenko - Russia - Probably not the Russian expected in this dream team but he scored the goals in Arshavin’s absence and also showed that he deserves a move to a bigger league this summer. Previously linked with a move to Real Madrid and if he can perfect his finishing will score a bag full for any team. Technically excellent and deceptively quick for a tall striker.