90min’s Euro 2022 team of the tournament

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Euro 2022 came to a close on Sunday evening in dramatic fashion as England beat Germany 2-1 in extra time to be crowned European champions for the very first time.

It was a fitting end to a month of recording breaking action on the pitch, in the stands and on TV, as attendance, goal scoring and broadcasting records were all smashed over the duration of the tournament.

But which players shone particularly brightly on the pitch? Here’s 90min’s Euro 2022 team of the tournament.

Mary EarpsMary Earps

Mary Earps conceded just twice all tournament / Naomi Baker/GettyImages

GK: Mary Earps (England) – Euro 2022 has been the tournament of outstanding goalkeeping, with stiff competition for the number one shirt in our 90min team. Belgium’s Nicky Evrard and Daphne van Domselaar of the Netherlands both turned in a selection of stunning individual performances, but for sheer, unfaltering consistency all the way to the final, it goes to England’s Mary Earps. She produced two pivotal stretching saves in the quarter and semi finals which changed the course of both games, and was unflappable in the final.

RB: Giulia Gwinn (Germany) – Germany’s journey to the Euro 2022 final was built on defensive solidity, and the performances of Giulia Gwinn were integral to this. Still just 23-years old, she typified Germany’s relentless defensive harrying, particularly impressing during her side’s semi-final victory over France where she hardly gave Delphine Cascarino an inch.

CB: Millie Bright (England) – England’s central defensive pairing of Millie Bright and Leah Williamson were absolutely outstanding, with both players hardly putting a foot wrong over the course of the tournament. Bright was an absolute brick wall, launching her head at anything that came with a five yard radius and turning in particularly mammoth displays against Spain and Norway.

CB: Marina Hegering (Germany) – Germany didn’t concede a Euro 2022 goal until the semi-finals, with Marina Hegering an absolute rock at the back. Her concentration and resilience was integral to her side’s hard fought group stage victory over Spain, and no player made more interceptions over the course of the tournament than Hegering. A remarkable performance for someone who managed just 307 minutes of club football last term.

LB: Sakina Karchaoui (France) – France were electric down the flanks at Euro 2022, with Sakina Karchaoui a particular threat overlapping from left-back. Her assist for her side’s second against Italy in France’s opening group game summed up Karchaoui’s strengths; the pace, the energy and the pinpoint delivery.

Lena OberdorfLena Oberdorf

Lena Oberdorf enjoyed a superb tournament / Harriet Lander/GettyImages

CM: Keira Walsh (England) – Keira Walsh was named player of the match in the Euro 2022 final, capping a stunning tournament for the central midfielder. Her composure was near unrivalled and her passing was sublime, with the pick of the bunch the stunning floated pass to set up Ella Toone for England’s opening goal at Wembley.

CM: Lena Oberdorf (Germany) – Lena Oberdorf scooped the Young Player of the Tournament award at Euro 2022 after a series of startlingly mature displays. The midfielder’s remarkable athleticism and reading of the game allowed her to break up play masterfully, while her intelligence in possession was superb. The 20-year-old was integral to Germany’s relentless harrying in midfield.

CM: Georgia Stanway (England) – Georgia Stanway was informed she probably wasn’t going to start at Euro 2022 – but went on to start every game, turn in a player of the match performance against Austria at Old Trafford and net a stunning long distance winner against Spain in the quarter-finals. Bursting with energy with her frequent darts into the box, Frauen Bundesliga fans are in for a treat next term.

RW: Beth Mead (England) – Beth Mead was named Player of the Tournament and scooped the Golden Boot after registering no fewer than six goals and five assists in six matches. Her fabulous weaving run and finish against Norway en route to a hat-trick was the pick of the bunch, and her smart, measured deliveries from the right flank were a constant throughout.

ST: Alexandra Popp (Germany) – Alexandra Popp fought back from injury to make Germany’s Euro 2022 squad, and only earned a spot in the starting XI following Lea Schuller’s positive Covid-19 test. She seized her starting opportunity with both hands, finishing as the Euro 2022 joint top scorer with six goals and turning up on the big occasion to net a crucial brace in the semi final. A case of what might have been for Popp and Germany as she missed out on a place in the final through injury.

LW: Kadidiatou Diani (France) – Kadidiatou Diani was one of the most exciting players to watch at Euro 2022. She wreaked havoc down the flanks with her trickery, pace and creativity, and hauled France back into contention during the semi final defeat against Germany with a piece of individual magic.