It was no secret that the most valuable player of EURO 2012 was going to be Spanish. It just wasn't clear which of Spain's stars it would.
Andres Iniesta was named the player of the tournament by UEFA, leading a group of 10 Spanish players named to the 23-man team of the tournament. The 28-year-old Barcelona midfielder was instrumental in Spain's march to a third-consecutive major title despite not scoring a goal. Iniesta played in all six games for Spain.
"Picking Iniesta sends a message about creativity, incisive football and humility," Uefa technical director Andy Roxburgh said.
Of the 23 selections only England's Steven Gerrard and Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic came from teams that did not reach the semifinals. Italy and Germany had four selections while Portugal received three mentions.
Here are some more stories to keep your Monday going.
GREAT BRITAIN ANNOUNCES OLYMPIC SQUAD
For the first time since 1974, and for perhaps the final time ever, Great Britain has announced an Olympic roster.
Olympic manager Stuart Pearce unveiled the 18-man roster for the upcoming London games on Monday with Manchester United's Ryan Giggs, Liverpool's Craig Bellamy, and Manchester City's Micah Richard's named as the three overage players. Despite players from all four home nations being eligible there were no Scottish or Northern Irish players selected.
Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey, Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge and Ryan Bertrand, and Manchester United's Tom Cleverly were among the underage players selected.
Pearce defended his decision to leave LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham off the squad despite Beckham's public desire to play in the Olympics. "In regard to ticket sales or merchandising or whatever, I'm a football man. I have to back my opinion. I feel very sorry for David, I know how much it meant to him. I do understand that," Pearce said. Beckham revealed he was not selected last week.
Here is the roster:
Jack Butland (Birmingham), Jason Steele (Middlesbrough); Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Steven Caulker (Tottenham), Craig Dawson(West Brom), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Neil Taylor(Swansea), James Tomkins (West Ham); Joe Allen (Swansea), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Jack Cork (Southampton), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Danny Rose(Tottenham), Scott Sinclair (Swansea); Craig Bellamy (Liverpool),Marvin Sordell (Bolton), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea).
LAVEZZI SECURES PSG MOVE
Paris Saint-Germain have announced the signing of midfielder Ezequiel Lavezzi from Napoli on a four-year deal that was finalized on Monday.
Reports suggest that the transfer fee was in the range of $38 million for the Argentina international. Lavezzi scored 38 goals in five seasons for Napoli and won the 2012 Italian Cup.
"Paris are giving me the chance to develop as a player and I think that the club is going to become one of the most powerful," Lavezzi said. Paris Saint-Germain finished a disappointing second in Ligue 1 despite a massive influx of cash last summer but did qualify for next season's Champions League.
QUICK KICKS
Cesare Prandelli will stay on as Italy manager despite Sunday's loss in the EURO 2012 final.
Juventus announced the signing Kwadwo Asamoah and Mauricio Isla from Udinese for a combined fee of $20 million
Clarence Seedorf has joined Brazilian club Botafogo on a two-year deal.
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What did you think of this afternoon's stories? Is Iniesta a deserving winner? Will Team GB be a success on home soil? Can PSG do some damage with Lavezzi on the roster?
Share your thoughts below.
The Scottish FA didn’t have any practical leg to stand on. Officially, all 3 others home nations opposed the formation of the team but couldn’t actually do anything. Pearce just decided to not pick any Scots or North Irishmen.
I wonder if the “Golden Boot Winner” has ever not made the tournament team before this instance?
Torres won the Golden Boot
Spain, Brazil or Uruguay are pretty strong. Mexico has a well developed team, they could surprise some people.
Maybe the US too…..ohhh wait, we didn’t even qualify.
Weich is a grape juice.
They probably are, but how in the world could you justify giving it to either one of them. Their club teammate scored 73 goals this year, and still had more assists than Xavi and Iniesta combined.
That’s like if in four years time the Olympics were in Los Angeles and whoever the genius coach was for USA decided to not bring in Kobe Bryant.
I just saw below. Barry Bannon and Shane Ferguson
I don’t think there are any Scottish or Northern Irish (underage or overage) players that are deserving of making the GB Olympic Team. Can you name any? No one really comes to mind.
Dempsey to Napoli!
It’s great to see Giggs and Bellamy, two of the all-time best Welch players, get the Olympic nod. The World Cup and Euro dreams have escaped them so this is the biggest international tournament in their careers. It’s a shame they can’t do it with Wales but both, I’m positive, are elated to represent Great Britian. Their leadership will be valuable.
Him or Xavi. I swear those two are arguably the greatest Spanish midfielders of all time…
I think the Scotland FA didnt allow any of their players on this team
It would have also been a great way to get all of the UK behind Team GB.
I don’t think Beckham necessarily deserved to be on the squad but they really should have made a point to include at least one Scottish and one Northern Irish player. There are plenty of U23s from these nations that are good enough to get minutes with EPL clubs. Guys like Barry Bannon (Scot) and Shane Ferguson (NI) would not have hurt team GB if they were included. Even if they never saw the field it would have been a nice gesture.
*scotland OR northern ireland
To be fair, Mexico wins something every now and then. England never does.
I would put money on Mexico before England.
why go through the trouble of creating team great britain and not select anyone from scotland of northern ireland? the team doesn’t look very strong….shame we didn’t qualify…
I agree! No doubt he’s a stud – rare mix of speed and beast-like strength with play making ability and stamina. As far as the Euros: I always think England’s roster and lineup selections are terrible. It seems none of their coaches can figure out how to maximize the talent they have (they are certainly better than a 1 goal per game team)
LOL and which U-23 team is gonna win it all? Mexico? LMFAO
Yeah, that makes sense to me. I think Richards could actually be a beast at CDM, but you don’t start playing someone in a brand new position in the Olympics.
I have no idea how he didn’t make the Euro team.
Completely deserved for Iniesta. Guy is amazing.
RB is just such an odd position to use an overage player on when you only have 3. Unless he is playing in the center of defense, which would also be pretty puzzling, considering England has better overage central defenders available too.
I would use my 3 overage players on:
Pick 1: GK or CB
Pick 1: Playmaking Mid or CDM Destroyer
Striker
Becks is loved world-wide, yet his own people hate on him so bad. Not to mention, he could’ve played in the Euro-cup. All’s England di was play long ball anyway so how wouldve becks made them any worse?
I get why you are puzzled about Bellamy, but why Richards?
Beckham or not, Team GB has absolutely no chance of doing anything relevant in the Olympics….. or any other competition.
Pearce is a jerk. Should have called in Beckham. He deserved it. Pearce’s quote are bull dinky. He just wanted there to be controversy.
That England/Wales squad has no chance at getting a medal.
Now Iniesta should win the Balon D’Or for 2013. He is pure class.
Jordi Alba was robbed.
Based off success and importance to their respective teams, I think Iniesta is the #2 player in the world at the moment. Followed closely by Ronaldo and Xavi who are tied at 3!
Scratch that. I meant Bellamy and Richards.
Puzzled by the Giggs and Micah Richards selections still