The couple of days we have all been dreading has finally come: the Euro 2024 group stages are over, and it is time to wave a tearful goodbye to the wall-to-wall, high-octane football that came with it, making a good argument as ever for the the tournament’s expansion from 24 teams to 32. What an incredible two weeks it has been.
In the immortal words of Dr Seuss, though, we should not cry because it is over, but smile because it happened. We’ve been treated to some incredible moments, from Georgia’s stunning upset against Portugal to the cinematic masterpiece that was Croatia vs Albania.
In celebration of these 36 brilliant matches (the less said about England’s performances, the better), here is FromTheSpot’s team of the group stage.
GK: Giorgi Mamardashvili
Embed from Getty ImagesIf you had told us before the tournament that, in two weeks’ time, we would be picking Georgia’s goalkeeper in our team of the group stage and that he would be the first of three Georgians in the team, we probably would have laughed in your face.
Mamardashvili was a force at the back for Georgia, making a staggering 21 saves in the group stage, including a historic clean sheet against tournament favourites Portugal. He has recorded the most saves-per-90 minutes at Euro 2024 and is quickly becoming a national hero as he helped his team to qualify for a first ever knockout round appearance.
Still just 23 years old, the Valencia star is finally starting to garner the attention he deserves, with transfer interest reportedly coming from both Newcastle and Chelsea. Georgia’s round of 16 draw arguably could not have gone worse, with the Jvarosnebi set to face Spain, though Mamardashvili will have the opportunity to add some zeroes to his transfer value and cement his national hero status.
LB: Michel Aebischer
Embed from Getty ImagesBologna’s Michel Aebischer announced his presence at Euro 2024 in Switzerland’s maiden performance, teeing up Kwado Duah’s first half opener before coolly doubling his nation’s lead with curling effort placed just beyond the reach of Hungary’s Péter Gulácsi. The goal was his first for Switzerland in 21 matches and came from his only shot of the game.
That performance was something of a magnum opus, assisting the attack with six passes into the final third and bolstering the defence with three ball recoveries and one clearance.
While he failed to contribute to another goal for the remainder of the group stage, he continued to produce formidable performances from wing back, doing his best to limit the influence of Germany wunderkind Jamal Musiala, and enjoying a bit more attacking license against a struggling Scotland side.
CB: Riccardo Calafiori
Embed from Getty ImagesOne of the few positives in a struggling Italy side, Riccardo Calafiori is the closest the Azzurri have come to replacing the legendary Giorgio Chiellini. While he has a ways to go before he reaches those heights, he has laid better claim to the title than any other, defending with aplomb throughout the tournament, despite an unfortunate own goal which he really could not have done much to prevent.
Perhaps Calafiori’s best attribute is his ability to work his way into dangerous attacking positions, often finding himself in the final third to help Italy create an attacking overload.
This was perfectly evidenced by Italy’s 98th minute equaliser against Croatia. The defender drove forward, playing a one-two to beat the press before running directly at the back line and finding Mattia Zaccagni, whose curling effort secured the Azzurri’s progression and Croatia’s elimination.
Set to miss Italy’s round of 16 tie through suspension thanks to a pair of bookings, Italy will struggle for a worthy replacement.
CB: Manuel Akanji
Embed from Getty ImagesIt comes as no surprise, given his starting status at Manchester City, that Manuel Akanji is among the world’s most consistently competent defenders, acting as a solid foundation of Switzerland’s defence.
His aerial threat makes any advance into the Swiss penalty area a risky manoeuvre, also making for an intimidating presence in set piece situations at either end of the pitch.
Having played every minute of Switzerland’s Euro 2024 campaign so far, he will be a key fixture in the knockout rounds, where a watertight backline will be more important than ever.
RB: Dani Carvajal
Embed from Getty ImagesAmong the most capped members of this Spain squad, Carvajal’s experience has been key to counterbalancing the younger members of the squad, such as Lamine Yamal and Pedri.
Spain are the only team in the tournament to have won all three of their group stage matches, and that is thanks in no small part to Carvajal’s contributions, playing every minute of La Roja’s clean sheet victories over Croatia and Italy.
His attacking output was key in those two victories, which have seen Spain lay claim to the title of bookies’ favourite. A smartly timed run to the near post saw him score the third against Croatia, and his right-side linkup with Lamine Yamal has proved invaluable.
CM: Toni Kroos
Embed from Getty ImagesThe German veteran may be in his twilight years, but he has been at his vintage best for Germany, playing nearly every minute of the tournament so far as Die Mannschaft romped to top spot in Group A. Despite facing some criticism this season as his club form dipped, he seems intent on bidding his international career farewell with a trophy in his hands.
A calm and experienced head in midfield, Kroos offers so much to this Germany side. The passing ability on which he built his career has been on full display, managing to contribute to both attack and defence. While he is yet to score or assist, his diligence and discipline are crucial to Germany’s success.
CM: Fabián Ruiz
Embed from Getty ImagesRuiz grabbed the writers’ attention as he scored Spain’s second goal of the tournament with the kind of goal children daydream about scoring while messing around with a ball in their back yard. Receiving the ball on the edge of the box, he beat Luka Modric with a deft body feint, sweeping the ball past a second defender before finishing smartly into the bottom right corner.
In the space of four touches, he took three defenders out of the picture to score for his nation at the EUROs, something most of us can only dream of. It was a moment of genius from the player, the kind of sequence you will look back on when he retires and wonder why you never made the time to watch him more often.
His influence in the midfield has extended beyond opening day, also performing well against Italy.
CM: Jamal Musiala
Embed from Getty ImagesWords can hardly describe just how good Jamal Musiala is. Already a constant presence in Bayern Munich’s starting eleven at just 21 years old, he has been a force at his home tournament.
Musiala is an eye-catching player: just as enjoyable to watch as the likes of Zidane or Xavi. On the ball, he dribbles with a natural grace scarcely seen in modern football, often seeming to phase through defenders rather than run around them, leaving his marker baffled.
He made a mockery of Scotland on the opening night (as did most of the Germany squad) and had a similar effect against Hungary.
LW: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Embed from Getty ImagesGeorgia have definitely been the surprise of the Euros so far, and that is very much thanks to the efforts of Napoli’s star Kvicha Kvaratshkelia. The winger is fast becoming a national hero, with frightening pace and considerable technical ability making him a key threat in Georgia’s counterattacking setup.
He was awarded player of the match for his efforts in the historic 2-0 victory over Portugal, in which he opened the scoring in under two minutes, the goal exemplifying the frightening pace that has caught the eye of top clubs across Europe.
He will be a key player to keep an eye on as Georgia attempt to turn over Spain in the round of 16.
ST: Georges Mikautadze
Embed from Getty ImagesIt is only natural that Georgia’s top scorer is named Georges, and Mikautadze has made his name in Germany, leading the Golden Boot race after scoring in each of the three matches he has played, also adding an assist against Portugal.
Plying his trade with Metz, who were relegated from Ligue 1 last season, Mikautadze has shown his class, scoring twice from the spot since arriving in Germany and finishing smartly from open play against Türkiye, the 23-year-old displaying class beyond his years, not to mention considerable potential.
Despite being a relative unknown coming in, Georgian Georges is making his mark.
RW: Lamine Yamal
Embed from Getty ImagesIt would be ridiculous to discuss player potential without bringing up Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s 16-year-old sensation. He is now the youngest player ever to see the pitch at a European Championship, appearing in all three matches and assisting Carvajal on Matchday One with an inch perfect cross.
Despite being born more recently than Jesus Navas’ professional debut, he is one of the most dangerous attacking players in an already deeply talented squad, offering a constant threat from the right wing.
To watch Yamal play at this tournament is to witness history, and we will be hearing his name for years to come.
Honourable Mentions
This squad was absurdly difficult to pick, for obvious reasons. In recognition of that fact, here is a selection of names which did not make the final cut but are very much deserving of recognition for their contributions to their nations’ Euro 2024 campaigns.
Marc Guéhi, N’Golo Kanté, Marc Cucurella, Nicola Zalewski, Radu Drăgușin, Jaka Bijol, Nicolae Stanciu, Ivan Schranz, Nathan Aké, Cody Gakpo, Arda Güler, Ruben Vargas, Kevin Csoboth.
You can keep up with everything that happens in EURO2024’s round of 16 and beyond right here at FromTheSpot.
