Neil Humphreys names his best XI from Euro 2016

As the fan zones come down in Paris, our writer hangs around to reflect on his best 11

MICHAEL 
MCGOVERN

(Northern Ireland)

Hardly a household name before the tournament, McGovern made an impressive 10 saves, many of which were against the Germans.

Northern Ireland needed a narrow defeat to make the knockout stages and the 32-year-old made that happen. But he's a journeyman out of a job and looking for a club, which rather sums up the lacklustre competition.

JOSHUA KIMMICH

(Germany)

Euro 2016 was largely dominated by stifling tactics and the occasional counter-attack out wide, which allowed wingbacks to come to the fore. None featured more prominently than the 21-year-old. He gave Germany an attacking impetus that was strangely lacking elsewhere.

GIORGIO CHIELLINI

(Italy)

The granddaddy of central defending, Chiellini rarely put a foot wrong at the heart of Italy's back three. For many, he was the best defender at the tournament, offering a peerless showcase of intelligent interceptions and tough durability.

Without Chiellini, Italy would've struggled to get out of the group.

JOSE FONTE

(Portugal)

Defending dominated the tournament. Most of Euro 2016's most memorable names played in the back four, an indictment of its overly cautious and tentative approach play. Portugal profited the most from such conservative tactics, obviously, and their fortunes improved once Fonte settled in their back four.

The Southampton man 
was a beacon of consistency.

RAPHAEL GUERREIRO

(Portugal)

A tough call as Germany left back Jonas Hector also delivered, particularly in the early stages, but Guerreiro mirrored Portugal, improving as the tournament progressed, peaking in the final against France. His obdurate defending kept out a lively Moussa Sissoko and stopped Bacary Sagna crossing the halfway line.

TONI KROOS

(Germany)

He faded in the latter stages, but Kroos was otherwise a midfield metronome.

Other Germans wavered. Thomas Mueller failed to score, Mario Goetze went AWOL and the defence dithered against France, but Kroos was a reassuring presence in defensive midfield.

Grzegorz Krychowiak and Paul Pogba had their moments, and Joe Allen was a Welsh livewire, but Kroos' consistency gives him the edge.

RENATO SANCHES

(Portugal)

The Player of the Tournament. Euro 2016 was so often bogged down in a midfield quagmire of sideways passing that Sanches' explosive presence stood out.

Apart from linking the lines, he surged between them, a rare dynamic force in games that plodded along.

Once he established himself in Portugal's line-up, the 18-year-old added an attacking edge and steered his country towards a shock triumph at the Stade de France. Even in extra time, he never stopped running, chasing and harrying during the final.

ANDRES INIESTA

(Spain)

An unapologetic, sentimental choice, Iniesta briefly reminded a dozing audience what an elite tournament should look like.

Spain did not make it past the last 16, but the little magician offered more moments of improvisation than many nations combined.

His delicate passing and effortless mastery of the ball made him such a painful loss. Spain were poor, but no one else came close to replicating Iniesta's ingenuity.

AARON RAMSEY

(Wales)

Wales looked liked world-beaters with him. They couldn't beat an ordinary Portugal side without him. That's the extent of Ramsey's immeasurable contribution.

He elevated the performances of those around him, particularly Joe Allen and Gareth Bale, and provided the thrust for a side that thrived on the counter-attack.

Had he been available for the semi-final, Wales would've lined up against the hosts in the Stade de France.

DIMITRI PAYET

(France)

He faded fast in the final, much to Didier Deschamps' frustration and France's major mischief-maker was substituted.

It was an ignominious end for a playmaker who carried a nation's hopes so enthusiastically.

At times, Payet played like a kid in a school playground, desperate for one more touch, one more free-kick before the bell went.

He displayed a freedom and an eagerness to take risks that didn't just make him a rarity at Euro 2016. It also made him a freak.

ANTOINE GRIEZMANN

(France)

The Golden Boot winner with six goals, Griezmann was a joy to watch. His destruction of both the Irish and Iceland was a masterclass of incisive, impudent finishing.

He deserved a different outcome in the final, considering he had shouldered the burden of responsibility throughout the knockout stages.

To lose the Euro final and the Champions League final in quick succession seems cruel and callous. Griezmann warranted more than a shiny Golden Boot in his hand luggage.

BEST MANAGER

Antonio Conte (Italy)

He made a little go a long, long way. Fernando Santos could say the same, but he at least had Cristiano Ronaldo, Renato Sanches and even Luis Nani. In attacking terms, the Italians had a Southampton striker who just joined the Chinese Super League and a bit-part journeyman, propped up with mediocre midfielders and a creaking defence relying, pretty spectacularly in the end, on muscle memory. Only a penalty kick denied Conte a place in the semi-finals.

Chelsea are lucky to have him.

TOP THREE FLOPS

1. Joe Hart (England)

Looked like he'd won a magazine competition to play in goal at a major tournament and then smothered his gloves in butter before each game.

2. Raheem Sterling (England)

Hardly featured for Manchester City last season. Hardly featured for England when he was picked, spending most of his time on the turf after being tackled.

3. Harry Kane (England)

Nobody puts Harry in the corner. Or he shouldn't be taking corners at least. In a tournament crying out for a conventional, competent No. 9, one of Europe's leading strikers sent over a lookalike instead.

This guy couldn't score, shoot, head, lay off, track back or take corners. He really couldn't take corners.

WORST MANAGER

Roy Hodgson (England)

If you need to ask why, then you should send your resume to the England Football Association. You sound perfect for the job.

THREE BEST FAN GROUPS

 1) Iceland

They gave Euro 2016 the Thunder Clap. In the final, every French supporter borrowed the "clap" to rouse Les Bleus. It didn't work, but what a fabulous legacy left behind by Iceland (right).

2) Wales

In Lille, they playfully wrestled with Belgium supporters in the town square plaza, settling their tribalism comically rather than violently.

And they took ownership of the old chant "Don't Take Me Home" and shared it with rival fans across France. Most of all, their rousing rendition of Tom Jones' Delilah made the hairs on the neck stand. The Welsh crooner himself would've been proud.

3) Northern Ireland


Four words… Will Grigg's On Fire

THREE WORST FAN GROUPS

 1) England

They fought in the streets with Marseille locals and police.

2) Russia

They fought with everybody.

3) Croatia

They fought among themselves.