The qualifying stages are done with and the domestic football seasons have been done away with. The stage is now set for the Euro 2016 scheduled to start from 10 June. Europe’s premier international competition is held every four years and is set to be hosted by France this year.
The Euro’s have a new format this season, featuring 24 teams instead of the usual 16. This should give the not so well known teams like Albania and Slovakia a chance to show their skills on the big stage.
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Over the years, Europe’s premier tournament has provided the stage for world class players to showcase their talents. There have been a number of iconic players who have set the stage alight ranging from legendary Soviet keeper Lev Yashin to modern day strikers Fernando Torres and David Villa.
Choosing an XI from the all-time greats is a difficult task due to the sheer number of legends that have played in the tournament. After a long and arduous selection process involving performances in the Euro’s and suitability to the team, we have come up with what could possibly be the ultimate European Champions XI.
Formation- 4-4-2 Diamond
Dino Zoff (Goalkeeper)
The Juventus and Italy legend made 112 appearances for Italy and is their fifth most capped player. He holds the record for being the oldest ever player to win the World Cup when Italy won in 1982. The Italian goalkeeper famously did not allow a single goal in international tournaments in 1142 minutes between 1972 and 1974.
Known for his excellent reflexes and positioning, Zoff won the European Championships in only his fifth international appearance. He kept two clean sheets in the tournament and was voted the best goalkeeper of the tournament.
So impressive were his performances that his career extended till 1982, 24 years from his debut at the 1968 Euros. He was part of the UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament twice, in 1968 and 1980. In recognition of services, he was voted the best Italian footballer of the previous 50 years in November 2003.
Philipp Lahm (Right-back)
The German full-back currently plies his trade for Bayern Munich and is considered by many to be the finest full-back of his generation, leading Germany to the World Cup in 2014 before retiring from international football that year.
Although the Euros are probably the only thing missing from Philip Lahm’s glittering trophy cabinet, the German has managed to leave his mark on the European stage. Lahm played at left-back in Germany’s run to the final in Euro 2008 and scored the winning goal in the semi-final against Russia in the 90th minute. Unfortunately, Germany lost the final to Spain, who were the best team in the world at that point in time.
Lahm was also part of Germany’s Euro 2012 squad and played as a right-back. Solid as ever, Lahm also contributed in the attacking stages of play by scoring the opening goal in Germany’s 4-2 win against Greece in the quarter-finals. Germany were stopped in the semi-finals by Italy, who won the game 2-1 in extra time.
The full-back was recognised as one of the best players in the tournament after he was voted into the UEFA Euro Team of the Year for both the editions of the tournament in 2008 and 2012. Lahm starts in his natural position of right back in this ultimate XI.
Franz Beckenbauer (Centre-back)
Nicknamed “Der Kaiser” because of his dominant style of play and leadership on the pitch, Franz Beckenbauer is widely thought of as one the best defenders to have ever played the game. He led Germany to two European Championship finals, in 1972 and 1976.
Known for his attacking forays, the German skipper is widely credited with inventing the role of the libero, a central defender who is a proactive attacking player. The German captained his country from 1971 to 1977, winning a European Championship in 1972, a World Cup in 1974 and reached the finals of the 1976 European Championships.
Der Kaiser received two Ballon d’Ors, one each in 1972 and 1976 after his commanding performances in the Euros. He was also included in the team of the tournament for the Euros in 1972 and 1976. The German's contributions were held in such high regard that he was included in the World Team of the 20th Century in 1998 and the World Soccer Greatest XI of all time in 2013.
Ronald Koeman (Centre-back)
Currently the manager of English Premier League club Southampton, Dutchman Ronald Koeman was a versatile player capable of fulfilling both, midfield and defence roles. Often played as a sweeper due to his technical quality on the ball, Koeman was known for his dead ball prowess and passing ability. He is also one of the highest scoring central defenders in top flight football.
Koeman played in the legendary Dutch squad which had the likes of Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and Dennis Bergkamp alongside him. The Dutch won Euro 1988 with Koeman marshalling the defence. He was included in the 1988 European Championships team of the tournament that year.
Paolo Maldini (Left-back)
Paolo Maldini was one of football’s one club men, spending the entirety of his club career with AC Milan for 25 years where he won 26 trophies. A versatile defender, he could play at both centre-back and left-back. He is regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all time.
The elegant Italian defender made his Euro debut in 1988, where he played all four of Italy’s games in their run to the semi-finals of the tournament. Maldini could not feature in the 1992 edition as Italy failed to make it through the qualification rounds. Maldini also played and impressed in the disappointing Euro 1996 campaign as Italy got knocked out in the group stages of the tournament.
Maldini was voted into the Euro 2000 team of the tournament as the Italian defence conceded only two goals en route to the finals. He retired from international football after the 2002 World Cup, failing to win an international trophy with Italy inspite of his brilliant performances which led Italy to the finals of both, the World Cup and the Euros.
Maldini made the European Championship team of the tournament in 1988, 1996 and 2000 after having been a rock at the centre of defence for Italy for over 20 years. He was also included in the World Soccer XI of all time in 2013.
Andrea Pirlo (Deep-lying playmaker)
Although Andrea Pirlo now exhibits his silky skills in the MLS, he is considered to be one the greatest ever deep-lying playmakers to have played the game. One of the finest midfielders of his generation, he is one of the best free-kick takers in the world and is known for his technical flair and creativity. The Italian maestro has been likened to a fine wine that keeps getting better with age.
Pirlo made his debut for Italy in Euro 2004, making an appearance in the last two matches of the group stages. The Italians were eliminated in the first round itself after being tied with Sweden and Denmark on five points.
In the 2008 edition, Pirlo helped Italy defeat France by scoring a penalty in their 2-0 victory. He was suspended for Italy’s loss to Spain in the quarter-finals as Italy were knocked out of the tournament. Pirlo was imperious in Italy’s run to the final in Euro 2012, winning three man-of-the-match awards for his performances. The veteran was responsible for England’s elimination from the tournament with his audacious panenka penalty in the quarter-final penalty shootouts.
He was voted into the team of the tournament in Euro 2012 and cemented his status as one of the midfielders in world football. Inspite of all his talent, he has not managed to win the Euros with Italy in his career. Andrea Pirlo is the ideal anchor for this European Championship XI.
Zinedine Zidane (Right Midfield)
The three-time World Player of the year was a consistent performer for France in international tournaments. He was part of France’s World Cup winning squad in 1998, also winning the Euros in 2000. Zidane made his Euro debut in 1996 where the midfielder scored a penalty in both, semi-final and quarter-final penalty shootouts as France were knocked out in the semi-finals.
France came into Euro 2000 World Cup winners and managed to become the only team to be defending World Cup and European champions at the same time after West Germany. Zidane played a vital role in this victory scoring two goals. One a curling free-kick against Spain in the quarter-finals and one the match winning golden goal in the semi-finals against Portugal, setting up a final clash against Italy. He was awarded the player of the tournament Euro 2000 for his midfield performances.
The mercurial Frenchman was also the highlight of France’s quarter-final run in Euro 2004 as he managed to secure victory against England in the inaugural fixture, scoring two goals to secure victory.
Zidane has had some memorable performances in the competition, winning the Euro player of the tournament in 2000 and being named in the 2000 and 2004 team of the tournament. The legendary Frenchman was named in UEFA’s team of teams in 2011.
Andres Iniesta (Left midfield)
The diminutive Catalan midfielder has been pulling the strings for Spain since 2006. Forming an irreplaceable part of the Spanish midfield alongside Xavi Hernandez, Iniesta dazzled on the Euro stage with his nimble footwork, passing and vision.
He played a vital role in the Spain’s Euro 2008 triumph, forcing defences into submission with his incisive passing and darting runs. Iniesta was named in the team of the tournament for his elegantly ruthless displays against Euro opposition.
Spain came into Euro 2012 looking to defend the crown they won 4 years earlier. Iniesta took the tournament by storm, winning three man-of-the-match awards with one of them coming for his performance against Italy in the finals.
Michel Platini (Attacking midfield)
Michel Platini was a part of the great French team of the 1980’s which dominated international football. The three-time Ballon d’Or winner won the Euro with France in 1984 and finished his career as France’s highest international goalscorer with 41 goals until Thierry Henry broke the record in 2007.
The attacking midfielder only represented France in the 1984 European championships, which they ended up winning. Platini finished the tournament with 9 goals, a record for most goals scored in a single edition of the Euros and for most goals scored in European Championships.
Platini’s performances lit up the Euros and he made a clean sweep of the awards that season, winning the Ballon d’Or, UEFA European Championship Player of the tournament, top scorer and was included in the team of the tournament.
Marco van Basten (Striker)
A member of the 1988 Dutch Euro winning team, Marco van Basten has become a footballing icon for his volley from an impossible angle in the finals victory against the Soviet Union in 1988. The goal has gone down in history as one of the best goals ever scored.
Van Basten was the top scorer in the Euros that year, scoring five goals including a hat-trick against England, a goal in the semi-finals against West Germany and that volley which them the Euros. He is one of the best strikers to have ever played the game. The Dutchman was also proclaimed the best player in Euro 1988 for his outstanding performances.
He was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 1988 after his game-changing performances for the Netherlands in the Euros. Van Basten adds a touch of unpredictability and flair upfront in a strike partnership.
Gerd Muller (Striker)
Gerd Muller was the ultimate goalmouth poacher for Germany having scored 68 goals for them in 62 appearances. His statistics for all competitions are exemplary and he had a habit of scoring goals in crunch occasions.
Gerd Muller scored 4 goals in Germany’s 1972 Euro win, scoring both goals in Germany’s 2-1 semi-final victory over Belgium and adding another brace in the finals against the Soviet Union. He was featured in the team of the tournament and was the top scorer in that edition of the Euros.
His lethal finishing and instinct for goal would give another dimension to the already dangerous attack.
Formation and Substitutes
There are a number of stars who could have made it to the starting XI but just missed out. The Euros have seen many great performances which will live on in memory and here is the formation and line-up for the starting XI and the substitutes which didn't make it to the first team:
Substitutes:
Gianluigi Buffon
Laurent Blanc
Giacinto Facchetti
Xavi Hernandez
Luis Figo
Thierry Henry
Cristiano Ronaldo
