Spain the winners, were the best team in the tournament so fully deserved.
Yamal, Williams and Ruiz were the stars and young enough to be major players for years to come.
Overall good games were few and far between, most teams operating a press making chances hard to come by, so it was a disappointing competition.
Yamal, Williams and Ruiz were the stars and young enough to be major players for years to come.
Overall good games were few and far between, most teams operating a press making chances hard to come by, so it was a disappointing competition.
Top rated teams like France, Portugal, Belgium and England were all pretty poor.
France were probably favourites but Mbappe looked a shadow of himself even before the broken nose, Griezman usually a key component was looking his age. Just 4 goals in 6 matches including 2 own goals and a penalty meant although the defence was good they have striker problems.
Portugal despite a host of quality players seem to be a Ronaldo XI, probably time to say thank you and goodbye and give the likes of Ramos and Jota a go up front.
Belgium always seem to be ranked highly but fail to deliver, KDB and Lukaku although still world class don't really perform in a Belgian shirt and most of the other 'stars' are getting too old.
Germany and Netherlands probably did better than expected as neither have been contenders in recent years.
Turkey, Switzerland, Austria all looked good at times.
England, I'm sure it will come out that Harry Kane was carrying an injury as he never looked fit.
France were probably favourites but Mbappe looked a shadow of himself even before the broken nose, Griezman usually a key component was looking his age. Just 4 goals in 6 matches including 2 own goals and a penalty meant although the defence was good they have striker problems.
Portugal despite a host of quality players seem to be a Ronaldo XI, probably time to say thank you and goodbye and give the likes of Ramos and Jota a go up front.
Belgium always seem to be ranked highly but fail to deliver, KDB and Lukaku although still world class don't really perform in a Belgian shirt and most of the other 'stars' are getting too old.
Germany and Netherlands probably did better than expected as neither have been contenders in recent years.
Turkey, Switzerland, Austria all looked good at times.
England, I'm sure it will come out that Harry Kane was carrying an injury as he never looked fit.
Jude Bellingham looked knackered in most games, guessing a hard season at Real Madrid took it out of him.
Rice, Saka, Foden and a few others played ok but not at the top of their game.
Going into a tournament without a fit left back seemed crazy, when Shaw was finally fit it was good but Trippier was not the answer as he was only just back from injury himself and playing out of position.
Did seem crazy to take Gomez who has been decent at left back and not play him, and Wharton just there for experience when another Palace player Tyrick Mitchell would have solved the left back problem.
Palmer, Watkins, Eze, Toney, Gordon, Bowen all getting just a few minutes on the pitch was confusing.
After the first game I couldn't see England getting anywhere near the final, so they over achieved in that sense, and despite England's lack of form they still came within 3 minutes of a shock draw and possibly an extra time or penalties win.
So reasons to be optimistic in the future.
Should Southgate go?
I have no idea, he seems to have lost his mojo recently.
England's success in recent tournaments has raised expectation and now he appears to have a fear of failure so no risk taking.
Can't actually think of anyone who would replace him and do a better job?
Most of the top English managers have a history of failure after being built up and knocked down, and apart from Eddie Howe, Sean Dyche, Graham Potter, Frank Lampard I'm struggling to think of any others.
The foreign coach thing doesn't really work either for England, the top names are very unlikely to want the job. Thinking of Guardiola, Klopp etc.
Going into a tournament without a fit left back seemed crazy, when Shaw was finally fit it was good but Trippier was not the answer as he was only just back from injury himself and playing out of position.
Did seem crazy to take Gomez who has been decent at left back and not play him, and Wharton just there for experience when another Palace player Tyrick Mitchell would have solved the left back problem.
Palmer, Watkins, Eze, Toney, Gordon, Bowen all getting just a few minutes on the pitch was confusing.
After the first game I couldn't see England getting anywhere near the final, so they over achieved in that sense, and despite England's lack of form they still came within 3 minutes of a shock draw and possibly an extra time or penalties win.
So reasons to be optimistic in the future.
Should Southgate go?
I have no idea, he seems to have lost his mojo recently.
England's success in recent tournaments has raised expectation and now he appears to have a fear of failure so no risk taking.
Can't actually think of anyone who would replace him and do a better job?
Most of the top English managers have a history of failure after being built up and knocked down, and apart from Eddie Howe, Sean Dyche, Graham Potter, Frank Lampard I'm struggling to think of any others.
The foreign coach thing doesn't really work either for England, the top names are very unlikely to want the job. Thinking of Guardiola, Klopp etc.
I guess we will find out soon?
