With Euro 2020 at a close, i’s time to look back at the biggest and best moments, key players and headline events that took place over the last few weeks in the festival of European football. Several players, teams and even fans made names for themselves at the tournament, and this post will celebrate some of the best, and those things that fans will look back fondly at from the delayed tournament of the summer.

As always, if you have anything to add, or want to challenge my choices then feel free to Tweet (@NextGoalWinBlog) and let me know what you think.

Enjoy.

Best Player: Federico Chiesa (Italy)

Chiesa was a truly standout player in the tournament, contributing to Italy’s incredible success as they steam-rolled through the competition. Chiesa was crucial in many of these key games, from scoring in the last 16 and semi-final, he wasn’t on the scoresheet in the final but was a threat throughout the game, only stopping when he was removed late in the game due to injury.

For more details on just why Chiesa became my ‘Best Player’ of the tournament, check out the previous post of ‘Euro 2020 Star Players’.

Best Team: Italy

It goes without saying really, but Italy were a dominant force, literally from start to finish, as their national anthem in the tournaments opening fixture showed they meant business, and this continued until the final penalty in the final-shootout. Under Mancini, they are a revitalised Italy side with experience and youth combining to perfection, and now have the silverware to go with their impressive unbeaten run, and with the next World Cup on the horizon, they surely have to be down as one of the favourites to make it back to back championships. Whatever happens between now and then, I for one cannot wait to see that same passionate anthem being belted out at the 2022 World Cup.

Best Moment: Denmark’s Heroics

Although a horrific and horrendous incident to recap, the bravery and heroics of the Danish side in their group opener against Finland following Eriksen’s shocking collapse was truly remarkable to witness. With everyone taken aback by the horrible scenes, the Danish players such as Kjaer and Schmeichel were simply heroes on the pitch, not only being first on the scene to perform crucial life-saving CPR, but then to maintain respect and dignity for Eriksen, his family and the medics working on the legendary midfielder, was remarkable.

Although the incident itself is the complete contrast of ‘best moment’, the swift and wonderful reactions from the Danish side won over not just the footballing world but everyone who witnessed the horrible incident.

Best Match: Germany 2-2 Hungary (Matchday 3)

Group F was certainly the group of death, and shockingly, Hungary were within 6 minutes of sending Germany home and making it through to the knockout stages. In a matchday where all 4 sides led and were bottom of group F, this game had even the commentators unsure of the current group standings until the final whistle blew and the inevitable success for France and Germany was confirmed.

Biggest Surprise: England’s Run

There were several surprises and shocks in the tournament, from Denmark and their journey to the semi-final, Italy being reborn, France’s exit at the hands of Switzerland and Pandev netting for North Macedonia. However, it had to be England with the biggest surprise of all, making it all the way to penalties in the final of the tournament for the first time since 1966. Although it wasn’t to be for Southgate’s men, the journey will forever be remembered, and the optimism this provides the nation will hopefully continue into the upcoming 2022 World Cup where they may just go one better and make it all the way to silverware.