Euro 2022 ended yesterday in thrilling circumstances yesterday at Wembley with England overcoming Germany 2-1 in extra time thanks to a winner from Chloe Kelly. The victorious England team are being celebrated as heroes.
87,192 people attended the final, a record for a UEFA event. The England victory, and the spotlight of the tournament, will give women's football in the UK a huge lift, and hopefully in Ireland as well.
To round-off the tournament, former Ireland captain Emma Byrne has selected her best XI from Euro 2022. She previously ranked her top five goalkeepers of the tournament.
Euro 2022 Best XI
GK - Daphne van Domselaar, Netherlands
The 22-year-old Dutch goalkeeper was a revelation at Euro 2022. We might not have witnessed just how good she is but for a forced substitution in the very first game for the Netherlands. She has everything: agility, quick feet, composure, commands her area and has quick reactions. The save from Wendy Renard's header being my favourite.
What a save, I love renard's reaction after🤣pic.twitter.com/A9KFLnX3hG
— ɱɑɼɼɘʈ || MFS spoilers✨ (@general_lobster) July 23, 2022
RB - Ona Batlle, Spain
We saw snippets of what Batlle can do when she drives forward. Typical Spanish wing-back who is very dangerous when given space. Also an excellent defender. Against England, Batlle kept Lauren Hemp out of the game. Beth Mead tried her luck switching with Hemp, Mead was taken off after 15 minutes.
🇪🇸💪@OnaBatlle made 19 tackles at #WEURO2022, the current most of any player at the tournament 🙌 pic.twitter.com/oNYdaHDiGY
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) July 25, 2022
CB - Millie Bright, England
If we are talking about players who have influenced their team at Euro 2022 then I can't name anyone better than this English centre-back. She's a no frills defender, gets herself in the right place at the right time and does a very effective job. Excellent in the air. Superb against Spain.
Millie Bright airs her hope the enduring legacy of England's #WEUROS2022 triumph will be the continued growth of the women's game @Corktod #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/1uMQOWJzMf
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 31, 2022
CB - Madga Eriksson, Sweden
Played a very strong, committed tournament for Sweden. The Chelsea player is consistent and builds up play very well. Very good distribution and very rarely beaten in a one-v-one.
She showed her leadership qualities by fronting up after Sweden lost 4-0 to England in the semi-finals
The courage shown by Magda Eriksson to face the press after such an emotional defeat is commendable and shows just how great a leader she is! 👏 pic.twitter.com/XMlwQiI1yy
— Ishan Shah (@ishan04shah) July 27, 2022
LB - Sakina Karchaoui, France
The PSG left back has been huge for PSG all season and continued her form in this tournament with France. A speedy intelligent fullback who loves to support in attack. Never beaten in a foot race, very rarely gives the ball away and kept the German right side very busy in the semi-finals. Must be good to keep Bacha out of the starting 11.
Quelle fierté !
Quelle détermination !
On se rejoint en demie ✨@equipedefranceF pic.twitter.com/7qHZJw82cJ— Sakina Karchaoui (@SakinaKarchaoui) July 24, 2022
DMF - Keira Walsh, England
Absolute baller. The holding midfield player is a wonderful outlet for England in build-up play. Such a natural awareness and always looks like she's got oodles of time. Sublime passing range and vision and we still haven't seen her best. Her assist for Ella Toone's chipped goal was otherworldly.
𝚆𝙰𝙻𝚂𝙷 a ball 🪡🎯@keira_walsh’s #WEUROVision 👀 is something else #WEURO2022 | @hisensesports pic.twitter.com/XjcKoIQ94s
— UEFA Women's EURO 2022 (@WEURO2022) July 31, 2022
CMF - Aitana Bonmati, Spain
Something happens when this player gets on the ball. Without Alexia Putellas, Aitana stepped up to be the catalyst for the Spanish attack. Moves with the ball with speed and purpose. One of the best in the world at playing between the lines.
Hours go by and elimination still hurts. We are ambitious and losing in the quarterfinals was not our objective, so we will continue to push ourselves to the maximum to reach the top. Thanks to all the fans for your support, we felt very close to you. Head up, girls!! pic.twitter.com/HpaUl0FNcH
— Aitana Bonmatí Conca (@AitanaBonmati) July 22, 2022
CMF - Lena Oberdorf, German
At just 20-years-old, this player is a machine. She marshals the Germany midfield and loves to put her foot in. She's grown stronger every game and can only get better. She was devastated after the final whistle but was rightly voted Euro 2022 Young Player of the Tournament.
What a campaign 💪
🇩🇪 Lena Oberdorf = Young Player of the Tournament 👏#WEURO2022 | #GER pic.twitter.com/S3oHA2Jyze— UEFA Women's EURO 2022 (@WEURO2022) July 31, 2022
FWD - Beth Mead, England
Goal machine. She has scored pivotal goals for England and lots of them! Voted Euro 2022 Player of the Tournament and she finished top goalscorer. What a player.
Top-scorer (6 goals) ✅
Top-assister (4 assists) ✅
Player of the Tournament ✅
2022 Women’s European Championship winner ✅
Arsenal’s very own, Beth Mead. ❤️ #afc pic.twitter.com/Rfmf6PW7Z1— afcstuff (@afcstuff) July 31, 2022
FWD - Alessia Russo, England
Russo has been England´s secret weapon. Not just for that cheeky back-heeled goal against Sweden, but makes immediate impact whenever she comes off the bench. Very good at initiating the press, very good in the air and very good at being in the right place and the right time.
#WEUROGOTR just had to be @alessiarusso7's 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗢𝗨𝗦 back-heel 🔥🔥🔥#WEURO2022 @Heineken pic.twitter.com/1KHRG1vJGy
— UEFA Women's EURO 2022 (@WEURO2022) July 31, 2022
FWD - Klara Bühl, Germany
This one might not be on everyone's 11. I've watched her carefully throughout the tournament and she has impressed me a lot. Her work-rate is phenomenal in helping her team in defence and she's very quick to counter-attack. A strong, aggressive attacking player who makes every right back's job a difficult one. Germany missed her in the final.
See Also: Jill Scott Attains Icon Status For Swearing At German Opponent
