My vote goes to "Other" - Jordi Alba. One goal, one assist, played well all around both defensively and offensively - one of the few players on the spanish team that used both speed and technique. Runner-up would be Pirlo, he did really well, but couldn't do much against Spain.
Iniesta surely had a lot of very good scenes, but if I had to choose a player of the tournament, I'd choose someone who made an impact - and however well Iniesta played, his impact was far outshadowed by other players.
Jordi Alba for me, with Iniesta close behind. We've come to expect greatness from Iniesta, but the suprise factor edges it in Alba's favour for me. I knew he was a good player, but didn't know he was this good. Always looking to bomb forward with pace, defensively solid, good end product, and a fantastic engine. Plus, he's only 23.
Pirlo should get it for being highest level up to the final game. He should also be considered for worldwide's best player of 2012 for being a strong leader at Euro 2012 and winning the italian championship without losing a single match.
I always see Casillas popping up everywhere as a candidate to "best player" or "best goalie". To me, he shouldnt be there. Yes, hes an awesome keeper, but the thing is that most people just seem to put him there because teams almost never scores against Spain. To me, that is because the Spanish team keeps the ball among themselves so well so that he doesnt have to. Casillas barely even gets to touch the ball :p Apart from the Portugal shootout, how many awesome saves did Casillas have vs France, vs Portugal or vs Italy? No that many. Buffon was way more important for Italys success and should be the goalie of the tournament imo.
Pirlo or iniesta for me. I didn't really know that much pirlo because i don't pay much attention to serie A, but this tournament has really made me a big fan of his.
as for iniesta, i sort of thought he was a bit overrated and he really didn't have a spectacular season at barca this year with injuries and what not. However, this tournament really showed his class.
I wish xavi would win because he's one of my favorite players of all time, but he only had a good tourney for his standards, not anything extraordinary. But I think his through passe. s and lobs are so much sexier than any goal that is scored
Most likely Pirlo with Iniesta and David Silva not too far behind. I'd say Pirlo more than the others because he did not only play really well but when he was defended far in his own half he created a loot of room for his team especially Montolivo.
On July 02 2012 18:48 Kreb wrote: I always see Casillas popping up everywhere as a candidate to "best player" or "best goalie". To me, he shouldnt be there. Yes, hes an awesome keeper, but the thing is that most people just seem to put him there because teams almost never scores against Spain. To me, that is because the Spanish team keeps the ball among themselves so well so that he doesnt have to. Casillas barely even gets to touch the ball :p Apart from the Portugal shootout, how many awesome saves did Casillas have vs France, vs Portugal or vs Italy? No that many. Buffon was way more important for Italys success and should be the goalie of the tournament imo.
On topic: Pirlo.
Spanish team doesn't allow many chances yet. But teams DO get them, some very good chances too. But Casillas is the reason the 0 always stands at the end.
UEFA announced their All-Star-Team today, check this link.
Iniesta was announced Best Player of the Tournament. Ten of 23 All-Stars are now European Champions (the only Spain starter not included being Arbeloa), with Italy and Germany having four, Portugal three and England (Gerrard) and Sweden (Ibrahimovic) fielding one All Star each.
Gonna have to go with Pirlo, he was definitely the player who carried his respective team the most. Iniesta following shortly thereafter, but Spain had so many good players that none of them feels as important, as someone else could have done the job better than another player for another team could have done in the same situation.
EPT
