Warlock- Posted June 22, 2019 Posted June 22, 2019 In the middle of the European Under-21 Championship in Italy and while we know which selection will relieve Germany as a champion, we look at the players who have shone in the tournament and were chosen as 'Gold Player' in the 21st previous editions. Some have been great stars; others have had contrasting careers and the least have not become or promised. So much is the level that two won the Golden Ball. In the last edition, 2017, the best of the tournament was the Spaniard Dani Ceballos, but he was not the only one of the members of La Rojita who won the award. Before there were four other players. Vahid Halilhodžić (Yugoslavia, 1978) The Yugoslav forward made the leap to French football after being chosen as the best player in the tournament. He played in Nantes and Paris Saint-Germain. With the first he got the league in 1983 and also, was the top scorer of the competition. He was also a top scorer in the 1985 league. With Yugoslavia he played in the 1982 World Cup in Spain (he was the rival of La Roja). Although his most recognized facet is that of coach. He is currently the coach of French Nantes and has led Lille, Rennes, PSG, Tranbzonspor, Dynamo Zagreb or selections such as Ivory Coast, Algeria (2014 World Cup) or Japan. Anatoli Demianenko (USSR, 1980) The central defender was an institution in Dynamo Kiev. In the nineties he had a small step in German and Polish football. He won the 1986 Cup and played more than 80 games with the Soviet Union, playing three World Cups (Spain 82, Mexico 86 and Italy 90). In addition, he was European runner-up in the final lost to the Netherlands in 1988. As a coach he won the Ukrainian League with Dynamo Kyiv in 2007. Rudi Völler (Germany, 1982) To talk about the career of Rudi Völler is to talk about continuous successes. The award earned him the signing for Werder Bremen from Munich 1860, then came Rome, Marseille and return to Germany with Bayer Leverkusen. In which at the moment is the maximum responsible sport from the dispatches. Völler is one of the best scorers in German football with 46 goals. World Champion with Germany in the World Cup of Italy 90 with three goals in the final phase. He also won the Champions League in 1993 with Marseille. He was top scorer of the Bundesliga in 1983 with Werder Bremen. Mark Hateley (England, 1984) After the tournament, Milan noticed the English striker. Then he played in Portsmouth, after arriving from Coventry. Hateley did not finish to settle in the absolute selection. Without continuity in the 1986 World Cup and the 1988 European Championship. From Milan he went through Monaco (he won the League in 1988 and was third top scorer) and from there he settled in Rangers where he had his best numbers as striker. Manuel Sanchís (Spain, 1986) Spain was the best of the championship and Sanchis was the one who took the trophy in a selection in which also stood out Berigistaín, Olaya, Eusebio or the hero in the penalties against Italy, Ablanedo. The career of Sanchís was always developed in Real Madrid, with which he won 8 Leagues and the Champions of 1998 and 2000. With Spain he went to the Euro 88 and the World Cup of Italy 90 as the undisputed starter in the center of the rear. Laurent Blanc (France, 1988) As in the previous edition, the best player was from the victorious team, in this case, France, and he was also the most outstanding defender. Laurent Blanc won the game to his compatriots Cantona and Paille. Blanc played in Montpellier where he left for a little experience in Naples. Then he went through Nimes, St. Etienne and Auxerre from where he jumped into Barcelona. He did not work out and went to Marseille where he played when he was one of the bastions of the French world champion in 1998. He also played for Inter Milan and Manchester UNITED. He has gone to the bench and has led Girondins, PSG and France in the Eurocup in 2012. With the bleus played almost 100 games and won a World Cup (1998) and a Euro Cup (2000). Davor Suker (Yugoslavia, 1990) The striker was part of a golden generation of Balkan football. The prize of best player of the tournament came to the World Cup in Italy 90 with the Yugoslavian shirt but did not play any minute. In 1992 he was signed by Sevilla and Capello recruited him for Real Madrid in 1996. In 1998 it was his great year. European Championship winner with Madrid, third in the World Cup with Croatia and top scorer of the tournament. Now he is president of the Croatian Federation. Renato Buso (Italy, 1992) The Italian already had a long career in Juventus, Fiorentina and Sampdoria before having his moment of glory in the European Under-21, in a great selection azzurra (Melli, Albertini ...). It seemed that it had a promising future but it stagnated and never made debut with the absolute Italy. Then he went through the ranks of Naples, Lazio, Piacenza, Cagliari to finish in the Spezia. Luís Figo (Portugal, 1994) Ball of Gold in the year 2000. With that credential it is already valid. In addition, one of the best Portuguese players in history. In 1996, Barcelona signed him and in 2000 he joined the ranks of the eternal rival, Real Madrid. He also wore the Inter shirt. He had made his debut with the national team in 1991, of which he was a regular before playing with the U-21 tournament that made him a star. Member of a unique group of players of the Portuguese national team with which he played two World Cups and two European Championships (he lost the 2004 final). Fabio Cannavaro (Italy, 1996) The Italian defender is the other player who later conquered the Golden Ball (after winning the absolute World Cup in 2006 and which earned him to sign for Real Madrid). During the European was player in the ranks of the unforgettable Parma. Then he went through Inter Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid and Al-Ahli. 136 matches with Italy and captain of the World Cup team in 2006. Francesc Arnau (Spain, 1998) The lock he put on Spain's goal made him win the support of the experts to be the best in the championship. It was the second tornado for La Roja, after the 1986, and Arnau shared clothing with figures like Valerón, Guti, Víctor Sánchez del Amo ... Being the best in the championship did not help to make a hole in Barcelona. After being a substitute during many campaigns he went to Málaga where he retired in 2011. Andrea Pirlo (Italy, 2000) He had the '10' on the back of the Italian team that returned to the path of victory and consecrated it as the best of the decade (four victories of five tournaments). Pirlo was still playing as a playmaker and it was difficult to find a place among the chosen team of Inter. After a transfer to Reggina, his transfer to Milan in 2001 changed the history of Italian football. In the Rossoneri he became one of the best midfielders on the planet; won two Champions and was a fundamental pillar of the Italy World Champion. In 2000 I already aspired to be a super class and finally it was confirmed. Petr Cech (Czech Republic, 2002) The second goalkeeper awarded after the Spanish Arnau. His tournament was fundamental for the Czechs to give the surprise in Basel. After the European left the ranks of Rennes to sign for Chelsea where he became a legend, and the best goalkeeper in its history. Companion of generation of Milan Barros, its importance in the Czech Republic is total. The player who has most times dressed his shirt: 124 games. Alberto Gilardino (Italy, 2004) Another victory for Italy and Gilardino as copyist with the Swedish player Elmander. Excelso scorer, especially in the lower categories did not finish exploiting all his talent later. His good work with the Italian Sub-21 allowed him to leave Parma for Milan in 2005, for 24 million euros. His performance was irregular, maybe he saw the best Gilardino in Fiorentina, where he swelled to score goals. She was a member of Italy's world champion in 2006, although she did not play any minute in the final but was in Lippi's rotation. After strolling his goal-scoring nose for numerous Italian teams and even Chinese football, he is now preparing to be a coach. Klaas Jan Huntelaar (The Netherlands, 2006) He had the '10' on the back of the Italian team that returned to the path of victory and consecrated it as the best of the decade (four victories of five tournaments). Pirlo was still playing as a playmaker and it was difficult to find a place among the chosen team of Inter. After a transfer to Reggina, his transfer to Milan in 2001 changed the history of Italian football. In the Rossoneri he became one of the best midfielders on the planet; won two Champions and was a fundamental pillar of the Italy World Champion. In 2000 I already aspired to be a super class and finally it was confirmed. Petr Cech (Czech Republic, 2002) The second goalkeeper awarded after the Spanish Arnau. His tournament was fundamental for the Czechs to give the surprise in Basel. After the European left the ranks of Rennes to sign for Chelsea where he became a legend, and the best goalkeeper in its history. Companion of generation of Milan Barros, its importance in the Czech Republic is total. The player who has most times dressed his shirt: 124 games. Alberto Gilardino (Italy, 2004) Another victory for Italy and Gilardino as copyist with the Swedish player Elmander. Excelso scorer, especially in the lower categories did not finish exploiting all his talent later. His good work with the Italian Sub-21 allowed him to leave Parma for Milan in 2005, for 24 million euros. His performance was irregular, maybe he saw the best Gilardino in Fiorentina, where he swelled to score goals. She was a member of Italy's world champion in 2006, although she did not play any minute in the final but was in Lippi's rotation. After strolling his goal-scoring nose for numerous Italian teams and even Chinese football, he is now preparing to be a coach. Klaas Jan Huntelaar (The Netherlands, 2006) Holland won the first of its two consecutive tournaments and Huntelaar was the reference point above the oranje team and the most recognized player of that generation. That January had already signed for Ajax after scoring numerous goals in Heerenveen. Three years later, he would arrive at Real Madrid although the landing of a new sporting direction caused his exit to cash, despite scoring 8 goals in 20 games. Huntelaar's relationship with the national team has always been very fruitful. Second historical goalscorer behind Van Persie, with 42 goals. Milita in Ajax. Holland won the first of its two consecutive tournaments and Huntelaar was the reference point above the oranje team and the most recognized player of that generation. That January had already signed for Ajax after scoring numerous goals in Heerenveen. Three years later, he would arrive at Real Madrid although the landing of a new sporting direction caused his exit to cash, despite scoring 8 goals in 20 games. Huntelaar's relationship with the national team has always been very fruitful. Second historical goalscorer behind Van Persie, with 42 goals. Milita in Ajax. Royston Drenthe (Holland, 2007) Maybe Drenthe has never played as well as he did in that European Under-21. His game was so spectacular that Real Madrid paid 14 million euros to Feyenoord. It was the most recognizable face of a Dutch team that did not give big names in the future (Babel and Krul). No triumph in Madrid and his meteoric career was extinguished after going through the Hercules, English football, Russian, Turkish ... until returning to his country. His award was so surprising that there is no better example than the data of his matches with the Dutch national team: one (friendly against Turkey in 2010). Marcus Berg (Sweden, 2009) Sweden was the feeling of the tournament held in their country but could not reach the final. The winner was the Germany led by the Neuer, Özil, Hummels, Khedira ... Berg was uncovered with seven goals and was raffled half of Europe. Finally the Hamburg arrived after paying ten million euros to Groningen. Then he went through PSV and Panathinaikos unfinished as the scorer that Europe saw in the championship. With Sweden he has served modestly: 19 goals in 69 games. Juan Mata (Spain, 2011) Spain gets the victory in two consecutive editions. The first with a selection far superior to the rest and with the presence of Mata and Javi Martinez who were already absolute world champions with Spain in 2010. The top scorer of the tournament was Adrián López but the team that directed Luis Milla was full of future stars: De Gea, Ander Herrera, Muniain, Thiago, Azpilicueta, Parejo ... Mata was already consecrated in Valencia but that summer he signed for Chelsea and then moved to Manchester United, with which he has just renewed. Thiago Alcántara (Spain, 2013) Another victory of Spain in the tournament with a Spain that swept Italy in the final (4-2, with hat-trik of Thiago). The current Bayern Munich player took a prize that could have gone perfectly to any of his teammates: Morata, Isco, Koke, Illarra, De Gea ... His talent in the lower categories has always been very prominent. Two injuries left him without going to Euro 2012 and the Rio World Cup. Yes he was among the elect at Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup in Russia, curiously in the two games that Spain played its continuity in the tournament did not play no minute Its irregularity has always prevented it from being indisputable, as it happened in Barcelona or in Spain. With the Bayern shirt he has played almost 200 games. William Carvalho (Portugal, 2015) In a tournament without big stars and in which Sweden won on penalties to Portugal, the Portuguese midfielder stood out for his great waste and physical display above more talented teammates like Bernardo Silva. Carvalho had already attended the 2014 World Cup. He is an indisputable player in the midfield of Fernando Santos in Portugal. He also won the Euro 2016, attended the World Cup in Russia and won the recent Nations League. Betis signed him for twenty million euros from Sporting Portugal. Dani Ceballos (Spain, 2017) Despite the defeat in the final against Germany, Spaniard Dani Ceballos rounded off his great year with the best of the tournament. And that his teammate Saul was the top scorer with 5 goals. Asensio, Williams or Deulofeu were other pearls of that selection trained by Celades. His great season at Betis earned him the signing for Real Madrid. Now he has returned to the tournament, looking for the minutes he has not had lately with the white shirt.
Premium
Recommended Posts