mid-day gives you an alphabetical overview of the recent continental c’ships
Italy players parade on a double decker bus with the Euro trophy in Rome on Monday. Pic/AFP
Azzurri: Three cheers to Italy, known as Gli Azzurri (The Blues), for winning their second Euro title and stretching their unbeaten run to 34.
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Bonucci: Part of the famous Italian ‘BBC’ backline—also comprising Barzagli and Chiellini—centre-back Bonucci scored the all-important equaliser in the final.
Chiellini: Despite being his team’s oldest member, Italy skipper Chielling, 36, put on a defensive masterclass.
Donnarumma: At six feet, five inches, the Italian goalkeeper’s tall achievements in shootouts saw him emerge Player of the Tournament.
Eriksen: Denmark’s star midfielder made headlines after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch v Finland before recovering in hospital.
France: The reigning world champs were the favourites but came a cropper and were ousted in the Round of 16 by Switzerland.
Germany: The Germans showed promise initially but lost in the pre-quarters after a tame 0-2 defeat to England.
Harry Kane: The England captain scored four goals, including the opening penalty in the final v Italy but couldn’t end up with the trophy.
Insigne: Italy’s pint-sized dynamo was brilliant and his stunning strike saw his team beat Belgium’s Golden Generation 2-1 in the quarter-finals.
Jadon Sancho: Despite scoring 16 goals for Dortmund at Bundesliga 2020-21, the England winger will be remembered for missing his penalty in the final tie-breaker.
Karim Benzema: The veteran striker marked his international return after a six-year absence, scoring four goals, including a brace in the pre-quarterfinal against Switzerland.
Luke Shaw: The English defender scored the fastest goal in a Euro final with his half-volley against Italy at one-minute and 57 seconds.
Mbappe: France’s World Cup-winning striker went goalless and saw his missed penalty in the tie-breaker v Switzerland put his team out.
Netherlands: Despite a star-studded line-up the Oranje army failed to excel and eventually lost to the Czech Republic 0-2 in the Round of 16.
Own-Goals: A record 11 own-goals were scored which is more than the total number of own-goals (nine) across the previous 15 editions.
Portugal: The defending champs were unlucky to go down 0-1 to Belgium in the pre-quarters but captain Cristiano Ronaldo (five goals) picked up the Golden Boot.
Queen: History did not repeat for England’s Royal leader, who last presented a major football trophy (FIFA World Cup) to an English captain (Bobby Moore) 55 years ago.
Racism: It raised its ugly head as three English players—Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka—were abused by fans for missing penalties in the final.
Schick: The Czech forward lit up the tourney which his strike from 54 yards out v Scotland and finished on five goals but lost the Golden Boot to Ronaldo who had more assists.
Tie-Breaker: The knockout stages saw four tie-breakers, with champs Italy winning two, including in the final.
UEFA: Football’s continental body deserves praise for successfully conducting the tournament across 12 countries for the first time despite tough COVID-19 protocols.
Virus: Here’s to the Coronavirus for ensuring the tourney went on without any casualties.
Wembley: London’s iconic stadium hosted as many as eight matches including the two semis and the finale.
Xherdan Shaqiri: The Liverpool star was the hero for Switzerland, scoring thrice, including a brace v Turkey, to take his team to the knockouts.
Yann Sommer: The Swiss goalie saved Kylian Mbappe’s penalty to ousted the world champs and take his team to their first major quarter-final.
Zinchenko: The Man City star scored one and set up the second goal as Ukraine beat Sweden to enter their maiden Euro quarter-final.
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