90min

A look back at the Euro 2016 team of the tournament

By Arjun Singh Devgan

Portugal won the 2016 European Championship by beating France in the final
Portugal won the 2016 European Championship by beating France in the final / Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images
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The last edition of the European Championship saw Portugal end up as the eventual winners, beating the hosts, and favourites, France 1-0 in the final.

The tournament saw some great games and brilliant players take part in it and here, we take a look at the official UEFA team of the tournament.

1. Goalkeeper and defenders

Joshua Kimmich
Joshua Kimmich has been tipped by many to be a future German great / Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Rui Patricio (GK) - The goalkeeper was one of four Portuguese players named in the team of the tournament and he definitely deserved to be, given his incredible performances throughout.

Joshua Kimmich (RB) - What is there left to say about a player who can excel in multiple positions on the pitch? He is a more than worthy successor to Philipp Lahm for Germany, though he has been playing as more of a central midfielder in recent times.

Jerome Boateng (CB) - From being in the team of the tournament in 2016 to not even being selected be at the tournament at all this time round, Boateng certainly isn't the player he was five years ago but may be a shrewd signing for a European club this summer.

Pepe (CB) - The pantomime villain of world football, Pepe's performance in the 2016 final was one of the best of his career as it was (somewhat surprisingly) an incredibly disciplined showing from Portugal's resident hard man. Portugal's hopes of winning the tournament this summer will once again depend on how he performs at the back.

Raphael Guerreiro (LB) - At left-back, there was no one more deserving to be in the squad than Raphael Guerreiro, with the Portuguese also nominated for the young player of the tournament award.

2. Midfielders

Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos has time and again proved for both Germany and Real Madrid that he is one of the best midfielders in the world / Lars Baron/Getty Images

Toni Kroos (CM) - A midfield metronome and one who dictates the pace of play on the pitch for both club and country, Toni Kroos has been one of the world's best for the best part of the last decade.

Joe Allen (CM) - A key player in Wales' surprise progression to the semi-finals of the tournament was Joe Allen. The former Liverpool man's club career hasn't exactly gone to plan in recent seasons, though he is still an important player for his national team.

Aaron Ramsey (CM) - Another Welshman who was absolutely brilliant at Euro 2016 - finishing the tournament as his country's joint top goalscorer.

Dimitri Payet (AM) - It is rather sad that Dimitri Payet hasn't represented France for more than three years now - especially considering how brilliant he was at Euro 2016. He was a key player in France's progression to the final, however with the talent available at Didier Deschamps disposal, it is unlikely we will see him don a France jersey again anytime soon.

3. Forwards

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Antoine Griezmann was named the Player of the Tournament at the 2016 European Championship / FRANCK FIFE/Getty Images

Antoine Griezmann (ST) - The Frenchman was awarded the Player of the tournament and the Golden Boot for his contributions to Les Bleus' run to the final - a run in which Griezmann scored six goals. While his Barcelona career has not gone to plan, he remains a key man in the France setup.

Cristiano Ronaldo (ST) - The then-Real Madrid star nabbed the Silver Boot after finishing the tournament with three goals to his name, while also registering three assists. He was injured in the first 25 minutes of the final, but his antics (encouragement) from the stands were one of the most memorable things about said final.

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