EURO 2016: Team of the Week – Gameweek 1 Standouts
The first round of the UEFA Euro 2016 group stage delivered plenty of drama, tactical innovation, and exceptional individual displays. Several players immediately set themselves apart, earning spots in our inaugural Team of the Week. Here’s a breakdown of the standout performers from Gameweek 1, based on their significant impact and key stats.
Goalkeeper Showcase: Hannes Thor Halldorsson’s Heroics
Iceland’s Hannes Thor Halldorsson delivered a memorable performance against Portugal, playing a major role in his team’s hard-earned 1-1 draw. Making eight crucial saves—the most among goalkeepers in the opening matches—Halldorsson was instrumental in denying Portugal’s relentless attack. He was also proactive in distribution, completing 17 accurate long passes and making the most goalkeeper touches (55) in the first round. His leadership and confidence between the posts gave Iceland a vital point to kick off their campaign.
Defensive Wall: Central Defense Dominance
This week’s backline is packed with players who combined defensive steel with composure under pressure:
– **Adil Rami (France):** Thrust into the starting lineup, Rami anchored France’s defense with strength and aerial dominance. He won every aerial duel and tackle, amassing eight clearances and three key interceptions as France edged Romania.
– **Leonardo Bonucci (Italy):** Bonucci was pivotal in Italy’s clean sheet against Belgium. His defensive awareness produced seven clearances and four interceptions, and he provided a brilliant long pass assist for Giaccherini’s goal, contributing to Italy’s disciplined display.
– **Fabian Schar (Switzerland):** Schar not only marshaled the Swiss defense but also scored the only goal in a hard-fought win over Albania. His nine clearances, two blocks, and five aerial duels won highlighted his all-action style at both ends of the pitch.
– **Shkodran Mustafi (Germany):** Stepping in for the injured Mats Hummels, Mustafi seamlessly led Germany’s back line. He dominated in the air, won five duels, tallied seven interceptions, and netted a crucial first-half goal. With a pass accuracy of 90% over 83 passes, Mustafi’s all-rounded performance contributed to Germany’s shutout victory.
Midfield Maestros: Driving the Game Forward
Midfielders were at the heart of their teams’ best moments, controlling tempo and launching attacks:
– **N’Golo Kante (France):** Kante anchored the midfield with immense energy, breaking up Romanian advances with five interceptions and three tackles. His neat passing (92% completion) and an assist for Payet’s game-winner highlighted his influence.
– **Luka Modric (Croatia):** Modric orchestrated Croatia’s play against Turkey, scoring the winning goal and dictating both phases of play. His composure and vision made him the link between defense and attack, controlling the pace throughout.
– **Toni Kroos (Germany):** Kroos was dominant versus Ukraine, serving as playmaker and rhythm-setter. Registering 130 touches and completing 93% of his 109 passes, he also provided an early assist for Mustafi and continued to craft chances (five created in total).
Attacking Threats: Creativity and Firepower
The wide and forward positions featured players who changed games through incisive play:
– **Wes Hoolahan (Republic of Ireland):** Hoolahan lit up Ireland’s clash with Sweden, scoring a smart early goal and contributing defensively with three tackles, a clearance, and an interception. His dual-threat presence nearly delivered all three points for Ireland.
– **Gareth Bale (Wales):** Bale showed his star quality against Slovakia by opening scoring with a sublime free kick and remaining a constant attacking threat. He produced five shots—all on target—and created problems for the Slovak defense throughout the match.
– **Dimitri Payet (France):** Leading France with flair, Payet created eight chances in the tournament opener—more than any other player in Gameweek 1. He provided an assist for Giroud before topping his night with a spectacular match-winning goal, etching his name into Euro history.
Team of the Week: Formation and Lineup
Below is the selected XI in a dynamic 4-3-2-1 formation:
| Position | Player | Country | Key Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Hannes Thor Halldorsson | Iceland | 8 saves, 17 accurate long passes, 55 touches |
| Centre Back | Adil Rami | France | 100% aerial duels/tackles won, 8 clearances, 3 interceptions |
| Centre Back | Leonardo Bonucci | Italy | 7 clearances, 4 interceptions, assist with long pass |
| Centre Back | Fabian Schar | Switzerland | 1 goal, 9 clearances, 2 shots blocked, 5 aerial duels won |
| Centre Back | Shkodran Mustafi | Germany | 1 goal, 5 aerial duels won, 7 interceptions, 90% passing |
| Defensive Midfield | N’Golo Kante | France | 5 interceptions, 3 tackles, 92% passing, 1 assist |
| Centre Midfield | Luka Modric | Croatia | 1 goal, controlled possession, dictated tempo |
| Centre Midfield | Toni Kroos | Germany | 1 assist, 130 touches, 93% passing, 5 chances created |
| Right Wing | Wes Hoolahan | Republic of Ireland | 1 goal, 3 tackles, all-around contribution |
| Centre Forward | Gareth Bale | Wales | 1 goal, 5 shots on target, consistent attacking threat |
| Left Wing | Dimitri Payet | France | 1 goal, 1 assist, 8 chances created, match-winning performance |
Substitutes Making an Impression
Several other players made significant impacts off the bench or narrowly missed the starting eleven. Notable mentions for Gameweek 1 include:
– Yann Sommer (Switzerland)
– Gerard Pique (Spain)
– Jerome Boateng (Germany)
– Eric Dier (England)
– Emanuele Giaccherini (Italy)
– Andres Iniesta (Spain)
– Graziano Pelle (Italy)
Star Performer: Dimitri Payet
Dimitri Payet captured the spotlight with his exhilarating display for France against Romania. Beyond an unforgettable long-range winner in the closing minutes, Payet was central to every major attacking move France produced, showcasing world-class creativity and technical prowess. His combination of goals, assists, and sheer influence sets him apart as Gameweek 1’s most outstanding player.
Tactical Brilliance: Antonio Conte’s Masterplan
Italy’s 2-0 victory over Belgium was a masterclass in defensive organization and counter-attacking efficiency, orchestrated by Antonio Conte. His tactics nullified Belgium’s star-studded attack, while his setup enabled Italy to strike clinically on the break. Italy’s unity and discipline stood out, turning pre-tournament skeptics into believers.
Managerial Recognition: Honourable Mention for Chris Coleman
Wales manager Chris Coleman also deserves credit for guiding his team to a hard-fought win over Slovakia. Smart substitutions and a resolute game plan ensured Wales defended compactly and took their chances, with Hal Robson-Kanu coming off the bench to score the decisive goal.
Memorable Match and Moment of the Week
– Game of the Week: France 2–1 Romania. The tournament opener had excitement, quality, and late drama.
– Best Moment: Dimitri Payet’s spectacular 89th-minute strike that clinched victory for France, providing a perfect start to Euro 2016.
Looking Ahead
These elite performances have set a high bar for the rest of Euro 2016. Stay tuned for upcoming editions of Team of the Week as the tournament unfolds and new heroes emerge on the continental stage.
