EURO 2016: Team of the Week – Gameweek 2
In a thrilling second round of group matches at EURO 2016, several players delivered exceptional performances to help their teams edge closer to knockout qualification. Here’s a look at the standout eleven—with notable substitutes, manager, and key moments—from an action-packed week two.
Goalkeeper Excellence: Robert Almer Shines Against Portugal
Austria’s Robert Almer delivered a commanding display between the posts, especially notable during his side’s stalemate against Portugal. With six crucial saves—including some spectacular stops against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo—Almer was instrumental in ensuring Austria left the pitch with a clean sheet. He was also dominant in the air, winning every aerial duel, and saw plenty of the ball, registering 50 touches—just slightly behind Ronaldo and impressively ahead of several outfield strikers in the tournament. His authoritative performance was pivotal for Austria in a high-stakes contest.
Defensive Backbone: Standout Performers Across the Backline
The defense was packed with resilience and determination in Gameweek 2:
– **Right Back: Lukasz Piszczek (Poland)**
Poland’s disciplined approach against world champions Germany was personified by Piszczek’s defensive masterclass. He produced eight blocks, 12 clearances, four tackles, and two interceptions. With 70 touches, his reliability was central to Poland earning a valuable point.
– **Centre Back: Gareth McAuley (Northern Ireland)**
Not only did McAuley make Northern Irish history with their first international tournament win, but his presence in both defense and attack was unmissable. He fired home a crucial goal, completed seven clearances, and dominated three aerial battles, helping his side maintain a clean sheet against Ukraine.
– **Left Back: Patrice Evra (France)**
Evra put in a dominant aerial display against Albania, winning 17 aerial duels—far exceeding the combined total of his fellow French defenders. Additionally, he was vital in attack and defense: 95 touches, 63 completed passes, two tackles, three blocks, five clearances, and two chances created. His experience and composure helped France secure a 2-0 victory and qualification to the knockout stages with a game to spare.
Midfield Masters: Dynamism and Creativity in the Middle
Gameweek 2 was characterized by midfielders exerting remarkable control and driving their teams forward:
– **Central Midfield: Axel Witsel (Belgium)**
Witsel starred in Belgium’s convincing win against the Republic of Ireland, actively involved throughout—touching the ball 78 times and achieving a 96% pass completion rate over 65 passes. He capped his performance with a fine header, won every aerial duel, and added defensive steel with two clearances.
– **Right Wing: Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)**
De Bruyne was at the heart of Belgium’s attack, delivering 11 crosses and creating seven scoring opportunities. He assisted the game’s opening goal with a perfect pass to Lukaku and was influential throughout, orchestrating the rhythm for his teammates.
– **Attacking Midfield: Marek Hamsik (Slovakia)**
Hamsik was the driving force in Slovakia’s 2-1 triumph over Russia, scoring a superb individual goal just before halftime and providing the assist for Vladimir Weiss. He was tireless, leading his team in shots, passes (52), and distance covered.
– **Attacking Midfield: Dimitri Payet (France)**
Payet continued his dazzling form, being the focal point of every French attack. He delivered 17 crosses, crafted six chances, took three shots, amassed 86 touches, and netted another spectacular late goal to help secure victory.
– **Left Wing: Nolito (Spain)**
Nolito made a decisive impact in Spain’s 3-0 win over Turkey by scoring once and assisting another. Integrated into every Spanish attack, he produced three accurate crosses and as many chances created—demonstrating why he was pivotal to Spain’s dominance.
Attacking Threat: Morata and Lukaku Lead the Line
Spain and Belgium both benefited from clinical finishing up front:
– **Centre Forward: Alvaro Morata (Spain)**
Morata spearheaded Spain’s attack, netting two goals and displaying outstanding movement and energy throughout their comfortable win over Turkey. His efficiency was clear—40% shot conversion, 80% shots on target—making him a central figure in Spain’s attacking force.
– **Striker: Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)**
Lukaku responded to early criticism with a brace in Belgium’s emphatic victory over Ireland. He made the most of his opportunities, scoring from both attempts on goal, connecting well with teammates, completing 87% of his passes, and winning key aerial duels.
Preferred Formation: 3-5-2 Structure
Here’s how the outstanding eleven lined up in a balanced and dynamic 3-5-2 system:
| Position | Player | Team | Key Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Robert Almer | Austria | 6 saves, 50 touches, clean sheet |
| Right Back | Lukasz Piszczek | Poland | 8 blocks, 12 clearances, 70 touches |
| Centre Back | Gareth McAuley | N. Ireland | 1 goal, 7 clearances, 3 aerial duels won |
| Left Back | Patrice Evra | France | 17 aerial duels won, 2 key chances created |
| Centre Midfield | Axel Witsel | Belgium | 1 goal, 96% pass accuracy, 100% aerials won |
| Right Wing | Kevin De Bruyne | Belgium | 11 crosses, 7 chances, 1 assist |
| Att. Midfield | Marek Hamsik | Slovakia | 1 goal, 1 assist, most ground covered |
| Att. Midfield | Dimitri Payet | France | 1 goal, 6 chances, 17 crosses |
| Left Wing | Nolito | Spain | 1 goal, 1 assist, 3 chances created |
| Centre Forward | Alvaro Morata | Spain | 2 goals, 80% shots on target |
| Striker | Romelu Lukaku | Belgium | 2 goals, 87% pass accuracy |
Key Substitutes Demonstrating Squad Depth
A number of substitutes delivered strong performances throughout the week and deserve recognition for their impact:
– Michael McGovern
– Thomas Meunier
– Adil Rami
– Jordi Alba
– Ivan Rakitic
– Vladimir Weiss
– Citadin Martins Eder
Outstanding Individual Accolades
Player of the Week: Alvaro Morata
Morata stood out among his peers with a relentless display of finishing, movement, and work rate. His performance against Turkey exemplified what many leading strikers have failed to produce in the tournament, making him a strong contender for the Golden Boot.
Manager of the Week: Marc Wilmots (Belgium)
Marc Wilmots orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for Belgium following their opening defeat. Strategic changes—including repositioning De Bruyne and introducing fresh faces like Meunier and Dembele—gave Belgium a balanced, attacking edge. The team’s dominant control, with 57% possession and 17 shots, was testament to Wilmots’ tactical acumen.
Memorable Highlights from Gameweek 2
Match of the Week:
France’s 2-0 victory over Albania delivered drama until the final whistle, with both sides creating chances and the hosts ultimately clinching qualification.
Moment of the Week:
Antoine Griezmann delivered one of the week’s defining moments by scoring a crucial 90th-minute header for France, breaking Albanian resistance and turning tension into celebration at the death.
Conclusion: Gameweek 2’s Elite Performers
This week’s selected eleven—and the influential substitutes, managers, and moments—highlight the depth and drama of EURO 2016 group stage action. With high-stakes matches ahead, these standout performers have set the tone as Europe’s elite continue their quest for glory. Stay tuned for the next Team of the Week and follow the tournament’s most inspirational stories as the competition unfolds.
