From an English perspective, Euro 2008 has been a joy to follow, despite - or even possibly because of - the absence of English involvement. As a spectator, there’s no pressure this time because our failure in this particular tournament was sealed back in November so the inevitable quarter-final shoot-out disaster against the Germans or Portugal was never going to be an issue this time around.
Nor have we had to endure the dispiriting comparison between the half-paced, tactically sterile England of recent major tournaments and the flexibility and panache of more imaginative opponents. That means we’ve also been spared the overblown hype that degenerates into a vitriolic blame game from the English tabloids as the tournament progresses and the Three Lions’ roar becomes a whimper.
No doubt some of those national traits will reassert themselves when the 2010 World Cup trail begins, unless Fabio Capello can teach us something about winning when it really matters. But in the meantime, English fans have had the luxury of emotional detachment. We’ve been able to sit back and enjoy the exploits of Europe’s finest, and even feel a bit of proprietary pride.
For even though we are still distinctly second division on the international stage, we like to tell ourselves we have the best league in the world, and many of that league’s employees have been strutting their stuff at the Euros. Admittedly it’s sad when basking in reflected glory is all we can do, but notwithstanding that, it has been fascinating to see some of the Premier League talents at work in a different environment and different contexts. And from a purely domestic league perspective it has raised anticipation levels greatly ahead of next season.
Euro 2008 has been both a reminder of what we’ve got and a foretaste of what’s to come, so here is a personal top ten, in time-honoured reverse order, of the adopted Anglos who have made the most waves at Euro 2008 and whose performances for their English clubs from August onwards are eagerly awaited….
10 - Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal & Manchester United)
The winger who couldn’t stop scoring for Manchester United last season got on the score-sheet for his country against the Czech Republic, but his overall contribution for Portugal was fitful. Ronaldo had a curate’s egg of a tournament - good in parts - and seemed somewhat preoccupied at times. The soap opera of Real Madrid’s public courtship of United’s jewel probably did little to help, but Ronaldo was his own worst enemy in that respect.
There were flashes of assertiveness and brilliance from him during the three games he played; but a player who divides opinion like Ronaldo does has not settled the argument about whether he is or is not currently the best player on the planet. And nobody - apart, perhaps, from Ronaldo himself and some of those oft-quoted ‘close friends’ - is any clearer yet about whether he’ll still be doing step-overs and scoring for fun in the Premier League next season. If he is, last season’s exploits are going to take some beating. Maybe that’s why he thinks it’s time to go?
9 - Fernando Torres (Spain & Liverpool)
The Liverpool striker has been overshadowed by fellow front-man David Villa’s thrilling tournament, and has suffered the ignominy of being substituted by Luis Aragones; but let’s not forget it’s a partnership and Torres has played his part with some thrilling runs and assists, even if his finishing has been less clinical and incisive than Premier League defenders became all-too accustomed to last season.
A goal in the second instalment against Russia would do him the world of good - though Guus Hiddink’s boys are a different proposition now from the Arshavin-shorn side that lost 4-1 to Spain in their opening match.
8 - Tuncay Sanli (Turkey & Middlesbrough)
The indefatigable Turkish forward has crammed as much excitement into his four games at Euro 2008 as he normally expects in a season at The Riverside. Tuncay’s eventful tournament has included roller-coaster come-backs, a raft of near-misses, a stint in goal and a second booking that rules him out of tonight’s semi-final clash with Germany. But he has been a consummate team player, running his socks off for Terim’s terriers.
Boro fans will recognise the tireless effort, sweating cobs for the cause. They will also be familiar with shots just wide and assists not converted by team-mates. Tuncay is nothing if not enthusiastic and committed,. and it will be interesting to see how his partnership with Afonso Alves develops on Teesside next season.
7 - Luiz Felipe Scolari (Portugal & Chelsea)
The Brazilian is the only Euro 2008 coach, so far as we know, who will be plying his tactics in the English top flight next season, and no-one can sensibly argue that he won’t bring added quality and charisma to Premier League proceedings. Apart from anything else the Gene Hackman look-alike is good entertainment on the bench or in the technical area, though perhaps not in the Oscar-winning class of a Fatih Terim or Slaven Bilic.
Chelsea fans will be expecting Scolari to bring Mourinho-like magic back to the Bridge in terms of trophies, while his new boss Roman Abramovich will be looking for that plus bucket-loads of flair on the pitch.
Scolari’s final Portuguese campaign started with high promise but petered out disappointingly against the Germans. The man who broke English hearts in 2002 with Brazil and 2004 and 2006 with Portugal admitted he was to blame for Portugal’s exit, and he did seem to fluff his lines as his below-par team failed to cope with Germany’s set-pieces at the back or to find a spark further forward. The timing of the Chelsea announcement provided a distracting sideshow, but it has to be said: Scolari will give Messrs Ferguson, Wenger, Benitez and the rest plenty to think about.
6 - Vedran Corluka (Croatia & Manchester City)
One of the gifts bequeathed to Mark Hughes by his sacked, Mexico-bound predecessor at Eastlands, Sven-Goran Eriksson, Corluka enjoyed a fine tournament. But for Turkey’s astonishing powers of recovery and some inept penalty kicking when the pressure was on, the Croatians would still be justifying their dark-horse billing and Bilic would be composing ditties for guitar about his accomplished right-back.
Corluka was rarely less than assured at the back, always comfortable in possession and provided an important attacking outlet down the right flank. He won many admirers in the Premier League last season and Hughes will be counting his blessings.
5 - Robin van Persie (Holland & Arsenal)
Given the miserably disrupted club season Van Persie endured with Arsenal, just to be fit for Euro 2008 was a breakthrough. But as the Dutch dazzled in the group stages, so the former Feyenoord man became increasingly acclimatised. Wesley Sneijder was the undoubted star for Holland, but Arsenal fans will have been encouraged by the evidence of Van Persie’s rehabilitation and return to fitness and form.
He looked increasingly sharp after coming on in the 70th minute against Italy and hitting a spectacular effort just over, following up by coming on ten minutes into the France game and scoring, then playing from the start against Romania and scoring again. He unwisely said he felt he was playing in an unbeatable team ahead of the quarter-final against Russia, who duly dumped him and Holland on their backsides, but a fit and firing Van Persie will make the departure of Emmanuel Adebayor, if it happens, easier to bear for Gooners.
4 - Edwin Van der Sar (Holland & Manchester United)
The outstanding Dutch keeper set a record at Euro 2008 - most caps for his country (128) since making his international debut in 1995 under then coach Guus Hiddink, now in charge of Russia. He he equalled another - France defender Lilian Thuram’s milestone of 16 appearances in European Championship finals. But the 37-year-old’s tournament was more about saves than statistics, and United’s best shot-stopper since Peter Schmeichel pulled off a string of excellent ones.
It was disappointing for him to bow out of international football with a quarter-final elimination after Holland had promised so much, although Russia’s victory was exhilarating and richly deserved. But Van der Sar plans one more season in club football with United, whose fans will be grateful for that.
3 - Cesc Fabregas (Spain & Arsenal)
Aragones may use him sparingly, but Fabregas has been influential every time he has come on for Spain in this tournament, and the young midfielder has underlined his class on one of the biggest stages. Having scored his first international goal - a rare header - against Russia in the first game, he has since linked play and orchestrated Spanish attacks like a genuine schemer. His introduction from the bench against Italy was a pivotal moment in the match, and although Fabregas was unable to thread the ball through the massed Azzurri defence for a goal in open play, he added a new dimension to his team’s attacking moves.
It fell to the 21-year-old to take the decisive penalty in the shoot-out that followed extra-time, and although it was his first time in such as situation he not only took the responsibility but buried the spot-kick with aplomb. Fabregas has also displayed a touch of diplomacy by thanking English fans for their support of Spain and the Premier League players. Given that the Catalan playmaker has also reaffirmed his long-term commitment to Arsenal while the tournament is still in progress, Gunners fans have reasons to be optimistic.
2 - Luka Modric (Croatia & Tottenham Hotspur)
Spurs fans have yet to see Modric in the Lilywhite shirt but they will be drooling with anticipation after watching the little Croatian’s influence on matches at Euro 2008. OK, some of the hype has been a bit excessive, and the inability of English commentators to mention his name without adding that he’s signed for Tottenham became tiresomely repetitive. But there is absolutely no doubting Modric’s class.
Modric was the creative fulcrum of the Croatia side, and just about everything inventive went through him. He let himself down with a missed penalty in the crucial shoot-out against Turkey, but otherwise his vision and execution in setting up attacks and supplying assists suggest that Spurs have a gem who will add to the growing sense of optimism at White Hart Lane ahead of the new season.
1 - Michael Ballack (Germany & Chelsea)
The only argument against Ballack being named Chelsea’s player of the year last season was that he missed most of the first half of the campaign through injury. But he was increasingly influential, not to say imperious, in the latter stages - and carried that momentum and authority into Euro 2008.
Ballack has been one of the real stars of the tournament, leading Germany by example and contributing drive, goals, encouragement and individual brilliance. Frank Lampard may be Jose Mourinho’s prized target, but an in-form Ballack will minimise the loss should the England midfielder head off for a San Siro reunion with the Special One. That could even work in Chelsea’s favour if it gives Ballack more scope to assert himself in midfield.
There are other Premier League players who’ve been involved at Euro 2008, though none with any distinction in a French shirt. But the other thing that has got English audiences excited has been the linking of various performers with possible moves to the Premier League.
Amidst the speculation, four players whose arrival in the English top-flight would really set pulses racing are Andrei Arshavin of Russia; Spanish pair David Villa and David Silva; and Portugal’s Deco. All have been linked with various English clubs, and however unlikely the transfers may be (Arshavin, for example, seems set on Spain with Barcelona), English audiences can dream.
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