sport news Best (and worst) of a belting Euro 2020: Our reporters pick their favourite ...

sport news Best (and worst) of a belting Euro 2020: Our reporters pick their favourite ...
sport news Best (and worst) of a belting Euro 2020: Our reporters pick their favourite ...

Euro 2020 has been electric and has thrown up some incredible results, unbelievable goals and some shocking off-pitch incidents.

From the sublime to the ridiculous, which concluded at Wembley on Sunday night, fans have been left to relive a thrilling few weeks.  

Sportsmail's reporters reflect on a whirlwind tournament which saw Denmark rocked by Christian Eriksen's cardiac arrest, Patrick Schick score a 49-yard lob against Scotland and Switzerland stun world champions France on penalties...

BEST GAME? 

Ian HerbertSpain 1 Italy 1 (SEMI-FINAL).

A game of contrasting styles and attacking flair which deconstructed the idea that the biggest games cannot be the best of games. Utterly compelling.

Craig Hope: Spain 1 Italy 1 (SEMI-FINAL)

I was lucky enough to be at Wembley for this one, and for an hour it was the greatest game of goalless football you will ever see. The quality, intensity and noise was off the charts. 

Italy produced heroics in a penalty shootout to edge out Spain at Wembley in the semi-finals

Italy produced heroics in a penalty shootout to edge out Spain at Wembley in the semi-finals

Matt Barlow: France 3 Switzerland 3 (round of 16)

Twisting plot, breathless tempo, wonderful goals, vibrant atmosphere, a fabulous save to settle the shootout and a shock exit for the world champions.

Chris Wheeler: France 3 Switzerland 3 (round of 16)

Paul Pogba's stunner, Switzerland's fightback and Kylian Mbappe's shootout miss as the world champions went out. A game that had a bit of everything.

Adrian Kajumba: Spain 5 Croatia 3 (round of 16)

There were a few high quality games with fewer goals but its rollercoaster nature means this extra-time win tops the lot.

Tom Collomosse: France 3 Switzerland 3 (round of 16)

The game that had everything - an underdog comeback, a penalty shoot-out, and the favourites eliminated on penalties.

World champions France were left devastated after they were knocked out by Switzerland

World champions France were left devastated after they were knocked out by Switzerland

Sami Mokbel: Spain 1 Italy 1 (SEMI-FINAL)

England have been involved in a couple of unforgettable nights but for sheer quality and drama, nothing beats this.

Ian Ladyman: England 2 Germany 0 (round of 16)

It was the first time we really felt the power of a thronged Wembley and it was intoxicating. On the field this England team took a huge step forwards. A great night.

Dominic King: France 3 Switzerland 3 (round of 16)

It had absolutely everything from amazing goals, outstanding individual performances, drama and a dramatic conclusion.

BEST GOAL?

IH: Aaron Ramsey (Wales v Turkey)

Gareth Bale's pass bisected the defence and Ramsey intuitively arrived to take it on his chest and clip it beyond Ugurcan Cakir on the half-volley.

CH: Patrick Schick (Czech Republic v Scotland)

I was fortunate to also be at Hampden. From the moment it left his boot - 50 yards out - you knew it was going in. Audacious and ruthlessly executed.

MB: Patrick Schick (Czech Republic v Scotland) 

He scored from the halfway line at Hampden Park. Guaranteed to feature in every Euros montage for ever more.

Patrick Schick scored the goal of the tournament during the group stages against Scotland

Patrick Schick scored the goal of the tournament during the group stages against Scotland

CW: Luka Modric (Croatia v Scotland)

The fact he curled it in with a first time shot off the outside of his right foot made it better than the rest. An exquisite goal from an outstanding player. 

AK: Patrick Schick (Czech Republic v Scotland)

Once Schick scored from 50 yards the award was wrapped up.

TC: Manuel Locatelli (Italy v Switzerland) 

Played a fabulous pass to Domenico Berardi, then hared into the box to tap in when Berardi cut it back.

SM: Patrick Schick (Czech Republic v Scotland)

Paul Pogba's against Switzerland runs this a close second but scoring from 50 yards - wow.

Aaron Ramsey scored a crucial goal for Wales against Turkey to send them into the round of 16

Aaron Ramsey scored a crucial goal for Wales against Turkey to send them into the round of 16

IL: Aaron Ramsey (Wales v Turkey)

A must win game and Ramsey had missed a couple of chances. But Gareth Bale's chipped pass was world class and Ramsey's finish was perfect.

DK: Andreas Christensen (Denmark v Russia)

There were plenty of candidates but I loved this howitzer in the group stage — always something wonderful about seeing a shot hit with such power flashing into the net. 

BEST PLAYER? 

IH: Raheem Sterling (England) 

Arrived at the tournament amid doubts about his club future and was by no means a universal first pick but he's been the heartbeat of the England side and a clinical finisher. 

CH: Pedri (Spain)

I will pick a player I've seen live, and this lad took my breath away. I couldn't stop watching him. Is he really 18? I'll say it now, he's a future Ballon d'Or winner. 

MB: Jorginho (Italy) 

Has excelled, dictating tempo in Italy's midfield and rolling in nerveless penalties. 

CW: Leonardo Spinazzola (Italy)

Brilliant down the left for the Italians. Never stopped running until a torn achilles cruelly ended his Euros at the quarter-final stage. 

Italy's hopes were jeopardised when star man Leonardo Spinazzola was ruled out injured

Italy's hopes were jeopardised when star man Leonardo Spinazzola was ruled out injured

AK: Raheem Sterling (England)

Has been inspired during the Euros and every contribution has been absolutely vital. He's the main reason England reached Sunday night's final. 

TC: Pedri (Spain) 

What a tournament for the 18-year-old Spain midfielder, who - health permitting - should be a global star for at least the next decade. 

SM: Raheem Sterling (England)

Has been electric throughout the tournament. Goals, assists, absolutely everything. And all within a stones throw of his childhood home. 

IL: Sergio Busquets (Spain)

One of my great regrets is that we have never seen this chap play in England. Playing in the centre of midfield can be discombobulating. Busquets makes it look as though there is nobody else on the pitch. 

DK:  Raheem Sterling (England)

He's been absolutely brilliant.

There's nothing wrong with debating a player's form and - there were valid questions - but the young man is as hard as nails. His response has been emphatic. 

Raheem Sterling produced a brilliant tournament despite ending the season in poor club form

Raheem Sterling produced a brilliant tournament despite ending the season in poor club form

WHO'S YOUR HERO? 

IH: Simon Kjaer (Denmark)

Only when the dust settles may we know more about those terrible moments when Christian Eriksen collapsed but by seemingly ensuring his friend's airways were kept clear, he may have saved his life. 

CH: Raheem Sterling (England) 

I didn't want him in the team, based on his form of last season, and I was far from alone in that thinking. Hasn't he proven all of us wrong? A role model, on and off the park.

MB:  The paramedics who saved Christian Eriksen's life and turned tragedy into joy and relief.

CW: Simon Kjaer (Denmark)

The Denmark captain's response and leadership in the wake of Christian Eriksen's collapse in their opening game against Finland was truly inspiring.

Denmark captain Simon Kjaer was the hero of the tournament for many of our reporters

Denmark captain Simon Kjaer was the hero of the tournament for many of our reporters

AK: An honour shared among all those who helped save the life of Christian Eriksen. 

TC: Simon Kjaer (Denmark)

The captain gave Eriksen CPR on the pitch before medics arrived, and then comforted the playmaker's partner as he fought for his life. 

SM: Christian Eriksen (Denmark)

Thank God he is still with us. A fighter.

IL: Every volunteer and lowly paid steward at every venue. Without these folk, these tournaments do not happen. I hope they got to see some of the football. 

DK: The doctors who saved Christian Eriksen's life. We have had a brilliant month of football but could you imagine how this tournament would have been had Eriksen slipped away in front of us?

ONE THING YOU'VE LEARNED?

IH: The superstars are not the be-all and end-all. All the talk pre-Euros was of Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba and Kevin De Bruyne but teams, rather than individuals, have won through. Collectivism is alive and well.

CH: That, free of the tactical constraints of the super managers at club level, international football can be a joy to behold — I believe that is why we've seen so many crazy, wonderful games.

MB: Premier League officials might be Europe's worst in the VAR era.

CW:  VAR can operate effectively and inconspicuously without all the nonsense we have to put up with in the Premier League.

AK: Referees are not all bad and VAR can work without all the fuss and controversy. Referees have shown how it should be done. Not blown up every time a player falls and let games flow. A lesson for the Premier League.

VAR can work, as proven in this tournament, and the Premier League can learn plenty from it

VAR can work, as proven in this

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