EURO 2024: Top Five Players of the Group Stage

The tournament has already reached its midway point. The weeks have flown by despite the tournament only beginning two weeks ago. 

On Friday the 28th, the qualified teams will kick off the round of 16. This format is radically different from previous editions, as it now accommodates 24 teams, giving a second life to third-placed teams. 

After multiple heartbreaks and surprises, the time has come to review the standout performers of the tournament.

5. Jaka Bijol

Jaka Bijol is one of the names that could end up securing a big transfer at the end of the tournament. Udinese’s defender has been brilliant throughout Slovenia’s campaign, playing a major role in the Balkan nation’s qualification to the Last 16.

Bijol’s team had not qualified for the EURO since 2000, and they have him to thank in a big way. Nine tackles may not fully capture his contribution, but it provides a glimpse of his defensive dedication. 

Slovenia suffered against England, defending for much of the game with only 28% possession. Slovenia needed someone to rise up and follow his marker in those moments. In Bijol, the Triglav nation found its perfect defender.

Bijol is a player who will only go for the tackle when necessary, and he rarely makes mistakes. There’s no doubt that he will attract a lot of attention, regardless of how Slovenia fares against Portugal. By now, Bijol’s name is on everyone’s lips and he is one of the stars of the tournament. 

4. Marcel Sabitzer

Sabitzer’s name is already well-known in Germany, the host nation of the tournament. His Bundesliga experience speaks for itself, and he is known for his pressing and relentless defending. For Austria, he has become not only a superb pressing trigger but also a major offensive asset.

Ralf Rangnick found his ideal player in Sabitzer – he has emerged as the team’s star alongside Christoph Baumgartner. Undoubtedly, he is one of the team’s heavyweights, especially in the absence of David Alaba – a challenging role to fill. 

Against the Netherlands, his precise passes and chance-creation mechanisms allowed Rangnick’s team to maintain their lead despite two equalizers from the Dutch side.

At the beginning of the tournament, I shared the opinion that one of Austria’s shortcomings was the lack of offensive talent, given Marko Arnautović’s underwhelming performances.

I underestimated the simplicity and effectiveness of Sabitzer’s football in possession and how Rangnick created an environment where straightforward counter-attacks thrive. This setup is perfect for a player like Sabitzer. 

Considering his offensive and defensive roles in Austria’s pressing dynamics, Marcel has been excellent and justifies his spot in the top five performers of the tournament.

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3. Jamal Musiala

There are multiple players I could choose from Germany’s squad – Ilkay Gündogan, Joshua Kimmich, Toni Kroos, and Jamal Musiala. The list of potential names is long. But one young talent impressed throughout the season and has shown a similar level in this tournament. Look no further than Jamal Musiala, a key player in Germany’s play in the final third.

Some would argue that Gündogan or Kroos also deserve recognition, but Kroos was not among the best on the pitch in the last game, and Gündogan’s performance has varied.

Jamal Musiala, on the other hand, is a crucial figure in setting up goals or finishing them himself. Musiala has created numerous chances with his magic wand, dazzling dribbles, and exceptional control when the ball is at his feet.

Jamal Musiala ranks among the top three most prolific players of the tournament, with the same number of goals as Cody Gakpo, Razvan Marin, Niclas Füllkrug, and Ivan Schranz. 

Only one player surpasses all of these – Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze. This confirms Musiala’s status as a wonderkid. If Germany remains undefeated, much of the credit goes to Musiala’s unique performance.

2. Fabián Ruiz

Many of us are quick to criticize – but Paris Saint-Germain’s midfielder Fabián Ruiz decided to lead the tournament by example, unexpectedly becoming Spain’s top scorer and assister in the first match against Croatia (3-0). 

When La Roja shifted momentum with his rocket of a goal, a big part of the credit went to Ruiz.

Ruiz will likely earn himself more respect despite his occasionally questionable off-the-ball decisions. This doesn’t seem to bother too many, as his second game against Italy saw him deliver another great performance, actively controlling the heart of the pitch. 

The match finished 1-0 in Spain’s favour, marked by Spain’s dominance in midfield. Fabián Ruiz has become a major influence in Spain’s athletic boost, an aspect of the game La Roja had not mastered in the past decade.

He was benched in a meaningless game against Albania, as Spain had already secured the top spot in their group. Despite playing only two out of three games, Ruiz’s presence on our list is fully justified.

1.Giorgi Mamardashvili

Many rankings focus on attackers or other advanced playmakers and goalscorers. At 22Bet, we also value the other end of the pitch. 

Many had Georgia pegged as one of the weakest teams – and rightly so. The Caucasians had never participated in the EURO before and found themselves in a difficult group that included Portugal, Czechia, and Turkey.

Georgia’s chances looked grim after a tense 3-0 defeat against their neighbour Turkey. A 1-1 draw followed, giving hope to a few million fans. 

Against all odds, Georgia found themselves leading in the first minutes against Portugal and later doubled the lead.

Georgia’s defending was problematic and often erratic. However, this did not stop Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili from stopping every possible shot, as Portugal multiplied their strikes. 

Georgia could rely on its goalkeeper, who was applauded by the crowd. Rarely do goalkeepers make it to top player rankings, but the truth is that he kept them alive and fueled their hopes.

The post EURO 2024: Top Five Players of the Group Stage appeared first on 22Bet.

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