Xavi has been named the best player (1 Viewer)

Maher

Juventuz addict
Dec 16, 2002
13,521
#1
Spain midfielder Xavi has been named the best player at Euro 2008.

The 28-year-old Barcelona player, the heartbeat of Spain's midfield during the tournament, was voted the Castrol player of the tournament by a nine-strong panel of UEFA's technical experts.

There was no place for Cristiano Ronaldo in the 23-man squad of the tournament however.

The squad did include Manchester United's keeper Edwin van der Sar, Michael Ballack and Jose Bosingwa from Chelsea, Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas, Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, and Tottenham-bound midfielder Luka Modric.

UEFA technical director Andy Roxburgh explained Ronaldo's absence was due to the fact Portugal did not progress further in the tournament.

Roxburgh said: This is entirely about the tournament and not about reputations or how well you started.

'Of course he was mentioned - and if Portugal had gone further, there's no argument he has been in this group because he's a fantastic player.

'He was in our Champions League all-star squad for the season, and the beginning of the tournament he threatened he was going to be in this one.

'But then it came abruptly to an end. When it comes to a squad of the tournament, those that go to semis and final dominate things like this.'

UEFA's squad of the tournament:


Goalkeepers: Buffon (Italy), Casillas (Spain), van der Sar (Holland).

Defenders: Bosingwa (Portugal), Lahm (Germany), Marchena (Spain), Pepe (Portugal), Puyol (Spain), Zhirkov (Russia).

Midfielders: Hamit Altintop (Turkey), Modric (Croatia), Senna (Spain), Xavi (Spain), Zyryanov (Russia), Ballack (Germany), Fabregas (Spain), Iniesta (Spain), Podolski (Germany), Sneijder (Holland).

Striker: Arshavin (Russia), Pavlyuchenko (Russia), Torres (Spain), Villa (Spain).

Nine of the 23 players in the squad of the tournament were Spanish, but Roxburgh said Xavi stood out.

He added: 'We think he epitomised the Spanish style of play - he was extremely influential.

'We are not all that surprised, because for more than a decade now the top youth teams in Europe have been Spanish and we have been watching Xavi and others in this squad from a very young age.

'Torres scored the winner in a youth final, and Fabregas was the star of the under-17s. In this tournament, Fabregas' influence in the periods when he did play was extremely significant.'

Roxburgh added that Torres has proved himself one of the top players in Europe.

'Clearly he's a match-winner - he's a fantastic front player - very fast, powerful, brave and he's a finisher. His movement is excellent as well,' said Roxburgh.

'To say anyone is the best player in the world is a difficult one, but he is one of the big talents we have in European football.'

He also singled out Germany captain Ballack for praise.

'Ballack was a major influence on Germany all the way to the final and he scored the best set-play goal of the competition with his free-kick against Austria,' said Roxburgh.
 

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HelterSkelter

Senior Member
Apr 15, 2005
19,056
#5
Yeah,and where's Cannavaro?:confused:

Its obvious that the list has been compiled with a 'Who went further' notion in mind,which is understandable as most awards are decided this way.But on pure merit the list would be somewhat different.
 

Bozi

The Bozman
Administrator
Oct 18, 2005
22,740
#7
boswinga was bloody awful! every time he got forward he attempted a cross that ballooned away and almost out for a throw-in, as much as i hate the wee shite van bronkhorst was by far the best full-back on show,with sergio ramos also excellent
 

Bozi

The Bozman
Administrator
Oct 18, 2005
22,740
#9
he was solid against italy and the best fullback last night, i think he had a good tourament
 

Bisco

Senior Member
Nov 21, 2005
14,378
#14
he was solid against italy and the best fullback last night, i think he had a good tourament
yup he was quite good last night although he did start out slow to be honest bozi. not the same ramos u would see at real madrid but i guess its just normal after a long season. but a great match from him last night.
 

Seven

In bocca al lupo, Fabio.
Jun 25, 2003
38,179
#16
The list is retarded and Xavi is probably the most annoying Spaniard out there. Not to mention that he's the most overrated son of a bitch since Chiumiento.

He passed the ball wide, wide, wide, wide. Xavi to Iniesta. Iniesta to Xavi. Xavi to Iniesta. Iniesta to Xavi. And for that kind of bullshit Fabregas was benched till the final.

Retarded. Just retarded.
 
Apr 12, 2004
77,165
#17
The list is retarded and Xavi is probably the most annoying Spaniard out there. Not to mention that he's the most overrated son of a bitch since Chiumiento.

He passed the ball wide, wide, wide, wide. Xavi to Iniesta. Iniesta to Xavi. Xavi to Iniesta. Iniesta to Xavi. And for that kind of bullshit Fabregas was benched till the final.

Retarded. Just retarded.

Biggest bit of bullshit ever.
 

Bjerknes

"Top Economist"
Mar 16, 2004
111,309
#18
The list is retarded and Xavi is probably the most annoying Spaniard out there. Not to mention that he's the most overrated son of a bitch since Chiumiento.

He passed the ball wide, wide, wide, wide. Xavi to Iniesta. Iniesta to Xavi. Xavi to Iniesta. Iniesta to Xavi. And for that kind of bullshit Fabregas was benched till the final.

Retarded. Just retarded.
Too bad Italy's midfield was practically retarded the whole tournament. Might as well just send a bunch of retards out there for the Azzurri.
 

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