Under 21 European Championships – Team of the tournament: Thiago Alcantara, Juan Mata and more (Part 2)
After elaborating on Bettor.com’s team of the tournament’s http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Defence-c38904 in the part 1 of this series, let’s take a look at the remaining members of the team of the tournament now...
Right midfield: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Xherdan-Shaqiri-c37074 (Switzerland U-21 team)
Shaqiri rose to stardom when he scored an impressive goal against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749 in Switzerland’s EURO 2012 qualifier against their European neighbours. However his displays for Switzerland’s U-21 team have been equally breath taking.
Shaqiri was unable to break free of Spanish shackles in the final match of the tournament but before that, he played an integral part in Switzerland’s extra time win over http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Czech-Republic-c2882 U-21 side.
It is possible that Shaqiri might be snatched up by a more prestigious European name than F.C Basel this summer but if this happens then it will be good move for the Swiss winger who needs time in a more robust league such as the
English Premier League to prove himself.
Central Midfield: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thiago-c34888 Alcantara (Spain U-21 team)
Spain’s assembly line, no scratch that. Barcelona’s assembly line of footballers has thrown up yet another gem in the shape of Thiago Alcantara. The Brazilian born Spanish national featured for Spain throughout the U-21 European
Championships but the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Yann-Sommer-c37199 to shape by chipping the 22 year old from a free kick near the half way line.
His performances in the midfield area were remarkable to say the least which puts him on the radar for many big European clubs considering his failure to break into the Barcelona first team.
Central midfield: Javi Martinez (Spain U-21 team)
Yet another one of Spain’s star to emerge out of the U-21 European Championships in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Martinez-c24468 is seen as the heir to the throne to Xavi Hernandez in the Spanish senior team. It will take some time for Martinez to break
through the ranks in the Spanish senior team squad but he has shown that he is well and capable of operating in the midfield region as a deep lying playmaker with his extensive range of passing for U-21 Spanish contingent. His best performance came against
England in the group stages of the tournament, a match that ended in a draw.
Left midfield: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Admir-Mehmedi-c3664 (Switzerland U-21 team)
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Switzerland-c3016’s forward operated on the left wing for them throughout the tournament and in doing so he netted three goals in five matches for the tournament finalists. Admir’s direct running at the oppositions defence was a result
of his aggressive style of play which worked wonderfully well for Switzerland in the U-21 European Championships.
His goal in the semi-final against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Belarus-c2849 in the extra time of the match was a sight to behold, something that caught our eye along with some of the scouts that were present in Spain.
Striker: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Juan-c19640 Mata (Spain U-21 team)
Valencia’s experienced forward was the spearhead of Spain’s offence in Denmark as La Furia Roja strolled to another international triumph by winning the final against Switzerland. Mata’s performances throughout the competition
were consistent and extraordinary to say the least. He scored two goals in five appearances for the Spanish U-21 contingent which helped them on their way to a win against Swiss.
Striker: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Adrián-c3701 (Spain U-21 team)
The Deportivo La Coruña striker was on fire throughout the tournament. He was being serviced by the likes of Thiago, Mata and Martinez but his finishing was up to the mark as he ended the competition as the highest scorer with
five goals in five matches. Adrian’s off the ball movement created space and time for his team mates which led towards http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011’s triumph in the semi-final against Belarus after a nervy first 45 minutes.
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