As an alternative to team of the tournament, Sandals For Goalposts have compiled a list of players who have underachieved, underwhelmed and were down-right rubbish during the tournament.
GK – Shay Given (Republic of Ireland)
The Republic of Ireland keeper was pretty poor during the tournament, conceding a variety of goal that were deemed to be “soft”, as well as looking nervy between the sticks from time to time. Although the rest of the team were bad, Shay has to shoulder some of the blame.
Just like the previous ones, Mario Balotelli once again does not feature.
GK – Petr Cech (Czech Republic)
Played brilliantly against the Portuguese, making various saves to keep the Czech Republic in the game. It’s a shame he saved his best performance of the tournament for the game in which is team lost 1-0, but he has made the team nonetheless.
Choosing the Team of Round 2 was just as difficult as selecting for Round 1. Another Mario makes the list, but again, it’s not Balotelli. I don’t know how I would organise this team in real life, but here is the team anyway:
GK – Andriy Pyatov (Ukraine)
Despite conceding two goals, the Ukrainian goalkeeper had a good game against France, making notable saves against Menez (who eventually scored against him) and Mexes. Those saves spared Ukraine of any further embarrassment against the French and Pyatov will need to be on top form when Ukraine face England in the final round of the group stages.
[James Eugene]
With the first round of matches over, it is time to select our Team of Round One. Difficult choices had been made, especially with omitting a few players entirely, or merely placing them on the bench. I can also hint that someone by the first name of Mario has been mentioned, but it is not the Italian. Without further ado, here is the team:
GK – Przemyslaw Tyton (Poland)
Imagine the feeling of sitting on the bench expecting not to play, to then being dragged onto the pitch to face a penalty because the goalkeeper who started ahead of you gets sent off. Przemyslaw Tyton was probably thinking “bloody hell” as he was about to come onto the pitch with his first task being to save a penalty. Keeping a cool head, the dived to his left to save the penalty taken by Greek player Karagounis. Cue “Rise of the Tyton” headlines.
