Euro 2022: Team of the Tournament
England’s silverware drought is over. Finally.
Euro 2022 reached its conclusion on Sunday [31 July] night, with Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses crowned champions of the continent before a capacity crowd at Wembley Stadium.
It was an incredible spectacle and a fitting end to a month-long celebration of the sport.
“This is what dreams are made of,” said Chloe Kelly, the match-winner, at full-time. “As a young girl watching women’s football and now this, it’s unbelievable. These girls are special, the manager is special, and what a special group of staff.
“This is amazing. All my family are in the crowd. My mum, all my brothers, my sister, all my nephews, everyone. I just want to celebrate.”
The Lionesses’ performance in the final wasn’t perfect, especially in the second half when the quality and intensity of Germany’s press told, but it was enough to see them over the line.
By all accounts, an uninterrupted night of celebration followed, rolling into the squad’s Trafalgar Square presentation.
It’s a beautiful day to be an England fan, and I will write about it soon, but – for a minute at least – let’s reflect on West Ham+ 19’s team of the tournament. There were many standout performers at Euro 2022; here are my picks:
GK | Mary Earps, England
Sensational. Mary Earps was almost faultless during her first tournament as England’s No. 1.
The 29-year-old was forced into making several crucial stops in the semi-final, including this acrobatic second-half tip:
She kept four clean sheets in six appearances. Elite.
Honourable Mention: Daphne van Domselaar, Netherlands
LB | Sakina Karachaoui, France
In the wake of her age-25 season, Sakina Karachaoui played a starring role for France. She was a ball thief along the left flank, constantly retrieving possession and generating attacks.
Only four players at Euro 2022 won the ball back more often than the PSG full-back.
CB | Leah Williamson, England
Captain fantastic. Aside from a pair of heart-in-mouth moments in possession versus Spain, Leah Williamson played the perfect tournament. The 25-year-old’s footballing intelligence is off the charts, with her defensive style built on savvy positional play.
Williamson won 75 percent of her loose ball duels, keeping away from tackling altogether. Blimey.
Honourable Mention: Mille Bright, England
CB | Marina Hegering, Germany
You wouldn’t know that Marina Hegering only played 307 minutes of league football for Bayern Munich last term. The 32-year-old was a colossus at centre-back for Germany, forming a formidable partnership with Wolfsburg’s Kathrin Hendrich.
Hegering’s long passing against Austria in the last eight was absurd: she completed nine-from-nine.
RB | Ona Batlle, Spain
It isn’t easy to be a box-to-box influence from full-back, but Manchester United’s Ona Batlle fits the bill. She was a force of nature throughout the tournament, stepping into a leadership role following injuries to Jennifer Hermoso and Alexia Putellas.
The 23-year-old’s one-on-one defending was impeccable, winning 68.9 percent of her defensive duels.
Honourable Mention: Lucy Bronze, England
CM | Kosovare Asllani, Sweden
It fell to pieces for Sweden at Bramall Lane, but Kosovare Asllani wasn’t to blame. She was a joy to watch at Euro 2022, supplying one of the tournament’s best assists versus the Netherlands:
Nuts.
CM | Lena Oberdorf, Germany
I described Lena Oberdorf as “snappy” before the final for a reason. The 20-year-old thrived as Germany’s midfield anchor, averaging 5.37 interceptions and 14.28 recoveries per 90.
Also of note: she led the tournaments in yellow cards.
CM | Keira Walsh, England
Don’t mess with Keira Walsh. The 25-year-old was England’s unsung hero, registering two assists from the base of midfield, including to Toone in the final:
Walsh’s performance against Germany was exceptional, keeping her cool when teammates fumed at refereeing decisions.
Honourable Mention: Aitana Bonmati, Spain; Sarah Zadrazil, Austria
RW | Beth Mead, England
Beth Mead turned Euro 2022 into a revenge tour, winning the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament award with six goals and three assists. The 27-year-old fell out of favour under former boss Phil Neville but proved all of her doubters wrong this summer. Gunner.
LW | Lauren Hemp, England
Lauren Hemp’s influence at Euro 2022 doesn’t figure on the box score. And that’s fine… because she’s in the WH+ 19 team of the tournament regardless.
Hemp was everywhere for England, pressing opposition defenders as though her life depended on it in the final. She won 63.2 percent of her defensive duels at Euro 2022.
ST | Alexandra Popp, Germany
What if Alexandra Popp was fit to play against England? She was electric in Germany’s semi-final win over France, netting a brace of first-time strikes to lift her nation in a tight affair. Clutch.
Honourable Mention: Alessia Russo and Ellen White, England
Coach | Sarina Wiegman, England
For the first time in the tournament’s history, a head coach was bold enough to stick with the same starting line-up for every match.
Sarina Wiegman is a legend, cementing her place in football history by winning back-to-back European Championships.
Tactically, the Dutchwoman was faultless: her off-the-fly changes worked perfectly. But there was so much more to England’s success than strategy. Wiegman aced her player management, and it showed in her post-match press conference.