ESPN writers Gabe Marcotti and Julian Lawrence delve into the thankless job of putting together our 2020 Euro Group Stage Best XI.
It seemed logical to limit yourself to players who had played at least two games and employed the 4-3-3 formation, as many of the top sides played the same. Sure, it meant putting some square pegs into the round hole, but we tried to avoid doing that. The old Best XI stand-by of packing the midfield with No 10 and playing three centre-forwards up front is not for us. And, yes, emotions may have played a role in one or two of these – we are only human – although we tried to go with affect as the main criterion.
GK: Robin Olsen, Sweden
Other keepers like England's Jordan Pickford and Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma haven't conceded yet, but we went with Olsen as he helped his team top Group E ahead of Spain and reach the knockout rounds and some big savings and Made some mistakes.
Right-back: Denzel Dumfries, Netherlands
He hasn't really played as much as a right-back as he has played as a right wing-back, but he deserves a spot and that's where he fits in at 4-3-3. Scored the winner against Ukraine, then found the net again in the following game against Austria. Vladimir Kaufal of the Czech Republic also chimed in here.
Centre-Backs: Simon Kajar, Denmark; Leonardo Bonucci, Italy
Italy did not admit to Bonucci starting all three games and taking hardly any wrong steps. In fact, after a difficult end to the season at Juventus, he exceeded Gab's expectations. We were also in agreement on Kajer. Even if not for his leadership and reaction in the first game when teammate Christian Eriksson collapsed on the pitch, he has been a steady and calming influence in other group games. Presnel Kimpembe also gets an honorable mention as France's best defender of all time.
Left-back: Leonardo Spinazola, Italy
An easy unanimous choice here. Spinazola was disastrous in the two matches he played for Italy, but he recovered very well defensively when called up. Gab also loved Sweden's Ludwig Augustinsson and we also had to give a shout-out to Germany's Robin Gosens for his performance against Portugal. However, judging by our criteria, it was Spinazola.
Central midfield: Manuel Locatelli, Italy; Georginio Wijnaldum, Netherlands; Paul Pogba, France
There are three slots to fill here and Wijnaldum should be an obvious choice for their three goals alone, even without considering their full effort and leadership over a Dutch team that seems to be full of holes in the tournament. Had been.
Pogba was a somewhat more difficult choice, given his relatively weak performance against Hungary, but he was a real difference maker in the other two games, and scoring against Portugal was highlight reel stuff for Karim Benzema.
The third midfielder sparked some more discussion and perhaps we were a bit impressed by the backstory (and Jules, who loved his fancy passing, was certainly impressed with that goal against Turkey). Ultimately, however, it is Italy's Locatelli, who didn't even have to start the tournament and still stamped his authority in both his appearances and played with personality and fearlessness, scoring two goals. Honorable mention goes to Scotland's koke for his all-round performance and effort, Wales' Aaron Ramsey, Italy's Jorginho, and, because we have a soft spot for him, Croatia's Luka Modric.
Wide Forward: Memphis Depay, Netherlands; Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium
Yes, Depay plays in a two up front formation, but he often starts wide. And their power, unpredictability and downright class were perfected as the Netherlands won Group C in the first three games and added them to the squad.
De Bruyne missed the opener, but he converted the second game against Denmark with goals and assists, followed by a scintillating third game for Group B winners Belgium. As Jules says, you know he's going to get better from here as well.
After seeing his goal against the Czechs in person, Gab also had a shout out to Ivan Perisic of Croatia, while we both loved Mikkel Damsgaard's goal and performance for Denmark. Raheem Sterling's two goals - without which England would have had zero - are also worth mentioning.
FW: Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus/Portugal
Ronaldo and Belgium's Romelu Lukaku both deserved to be here in our opinion, but we only have space in front of one player. And, frankly, since it's about impact, you really can't ignore Ronaldo's five goals - even if three were from the penalty spot. The key takeaway and run against Germany was special, as was a one-two against Hungary with Rafa Silva for third. (Yes, it was in garbage time, but you try to do it in the 90th minute.)
Lukaku has not only been a road-grader, he has been a leader as well as selfless to boot. But there is only one spot here and that has to do with an honorable mention – Patric Schick of the Czech Republic – with three goals and one goal from the tournament.