Intro
It's UEFA Men senior Euro time and a lot is written and talked about. The 24 sides aim for the cup, some more favorites than others, but all focusing on doing their best! It is always a difficult task to choose the final squad list, between the usual choices, the newcomers, the ones who excelled during the season in their clubs, opting for players to fit the idea of the technical team and trying to understand who are better team players, also the ones who can play multiple parts in the pitch. It's hard but also very exciting!
The exercise here in this paper is to choose a XI for each of the 24 nations that qualified outside the 26 that were selected, not injured and to make it a little harder in a distinct tactical scheme.
Each major competition has been hit by injuries, it's inevitable. Some are more affected by it than others, but the number is always high.
Injuries
The host, Germany, lost young midfielder Pavlovic, who exploded this season at Bayern Munich, at the last hour, curiously replacing him with Emre Can of Borussia Dortmund, who entered the inaugural match to score. Serge Gnabry is another casualty in the host nation.
Scotland has four misses due to injury, Lewis Ferguson, part of Bologna's dream season, Aaron Hickey, Ben Doak and Lyndon Dykes.
Spain is without Gavi, Isco and Yeremy Pino while Italy lost Berardi, Zaniolo, Acerbi, Scalvini and Italian-Nigerian sensation Udogie.
Jordan Henderson, Tyrone Mings and Ben Chilwell had injuries throughout the season and didn't get much game in the end of it, making them a no-go for Southgate.
The favorite French side is without Wesley Fofana, Lucas Hernandez and Boubacar Kamara, whilst the Netherlands got a huge cut, de Roon, de Jong, Botman, Timber, Hartman, Koopmeiners, basically the entire starting midfield is out for the 'Oranje'.
Season injuries also limited David Alaba who doesn't feature for Austria. Milik for Poland, Courtois for Belgium, Morutan for Romania. Soyuncu for Turkey, Michal Sadilek for Czechia and Brazilian-Portuguese midfielder Otávio are the other absenties.
That is life and the managers have to think of ways to get over these losses and continue their preparations. One's lost is another's dream achieved!
Group A
Germany
It would be easier to bring some names that most supporters know, with a past, but - even though that is done with some sides, however only due to performance this season - the purpose is to go beyond the basics.
The host is a candidate, naturally, but the renewal of the squad is bringing some challenges.
For Germany in the goal we would choose Nübel. The 27 year old Stuttgart goalie was solid and many thought he would enter the final cut, but Nagelsmann opted for Baumann as third man for the poll. Names like Bernd Leno and Kevin Trapp could also fit.
In the back the choice is a trio, Mats Hummels, who doesn't need to be presented would lead the three centre backs and next to him would play Malick Thiaw, 22 years old defender from AC Milan, born in Düsseldorf, son of a Senegalese father and a Finnish mother, making a name for himself in the Serie A, and Süle, another former player from Bayern 'rebuilding' himself in Dortmund. Süle and Hummels know each other very well and would have that advantage. Thilo Kehrer and Ginter are well known names who could be part of this sketch.
Despite not having had the best of seasons, Union Berlin had some good performers and Gosens was one of them, the left back with Italian football pedigree made his debut in the Bundesliga this season, almost with 30 years old and scored seven goals assisting in a handful of others. That would put him in our starting side.
On the right side would be DR Congo 'son' Ridle Baku from Wolfsburg.
The season Goretzka did with Bayern should have given him a place in the team but problems with Nagelsmann in Munich are probably a reason to be left out and turning Leon an obvious solution to our midfield. Alongside him, another very experienced man, Maximilian Arnold from Wolfsburg, also doing a very solid season with the 'wolves'.
Julian Brandt is the kind of player who you never know whether he'll make a difference or not, that's why he lacked the loop towards the legends, failing in the regularity, but proving greatly at Dortmund, where he scored 10 times and assisted 16 goals this season.
Names like Prömmel of Hoffenheim, champion Hofmann. who was amazing with Leverkusen but not giving the back support granted by Arnold and Goretzka and lacking the glamour of Brandt, although between Brandt and Hofmann the choice was very hard to do.
At 25, Beste is enjoying his best time with Heidenheim. He went on to score eight goals and offer another 14! He is the name outside the box in our German squad.
Marvin Ducksch didn't have the opportunities with Dortmund but is making a name with Werder Bremen, being our front man.
Scotland
It would be nicer to bring a younger goalie however Craig Gordon is clearly, still, the best choice as an alternate for the Scottish poll, with all due respect to Rangers' McCrorie.
In the central back the choice went to Rangers' Souttar and Hyam. The latter has been performing well in the English second tier for years, currently defending former champions Blackburn Rovers.
Josh Doig splitted himself between Hellas Verona and Sassuolo in the Serie A. Just 22, he's a natural choice for the left back.
From the Rangers youth system, Lewis Mayo went to Kilmarnock to give a good performance during the season. Central defender, he can do the right back also and would adjust a more offensive Doig on the left.
Born in the capital, made in the Hearts, Andy Irving was loaned out from West Ham to Austrian side Klagenfurt where he produced very well, helping his side to enter the Championship round and scoring 10 goals, a complete left footed midfielder, the box-to-box prototype. Interesting him not being in Clarke's 26.
From the 'Sherwood Forest', Nottingham's native Tom Cairney is usual choice for Marco Silva at Fulham and despite being 33, he's still a good fit for the Scots.
David Turnbull, who left Celtic for Welsh Cardiff City in January, or Liam Henderson, also in a second tier, he loaned out from Empoli to Palermo, could have made this cut, but the choices are always personal and it was opted for these ones.
Failing to live up to the 'Scottish Messi' nickname, Ryan Gauld didn't succeed at Sporting CP in Portugal, but produced very interesting exhibitions with Farense and is shining high with Canadian Whitecaps, by the Pacific Ocean, in the MLS, captain of the team and already having scored nine goals and assisted three, our creative is him.
Oliver Burke would fit well in the attack, but he was loaned by German side Werder Bremen to Birmingham City and in the Championship didn't play as much as we would expect, therefore he's not in our side, being the same said for striker Nisbet, who was with Millwall.
Already hired by Hearts, Blair Spittal did an amazing season with Motherwell, even if the team didn't produce well, playing for staying in the Premiership. Spittal netted 13 goals and assisted 11 other, he would engaged well with Gauld, splitting being the wing and the middle for the three line, considering also Dundee FC Luke McCowan, giving the left footed a high power in this Scottish choices. An offensive triplet to play being the striker with no fixed spot.
Hardie, of Plymouth Argyle, would be a nice choice, but the 'Blades' striker Oli McBurnie is the '9' we would place in this Scottish side!
Contrary to what we witnessed in their debut, this XI would want to have the ball!
Hungary
Far from the best team in the world - remember the 50's, where Hungary only lost one match, the 1954 world cup final against West Germany in a game that was fixed, with the Hungarians food poisoned and the Germans doped, in six years, recording 58 victories and 10 draws, and most of them already without their best player, Kubala - Hungary is again on the rise, not to enter the top division but it can present some fun, namely with Szoboszlai.
In the net our choice Balazs Toth who was loaned out from Puskas to Fehervar where he got 13 clean sheets, making a name for himself and surpassing Demjen, youth star for the Magyar side, for the goal post.
Born in the border with Slovakia, on the Slovakian side, our right back is Krisztian Kovacs, from Paksi, putting a strong performance during the season, part of a good defense and also scoring and assisting. On the left Fehervar's Gergenyi.
Also from the bordering Slovakian town of Komarno is our central defender on the right, debuting for Hungary last March, Attila Mocsi had a good season in Turkish promoted side Çaykur Rizespor, an imposing, strong at marking defender. Alonside him, the left footed also very tall defender who changed Kecskemet for the Swiss league side Lausanne, Gabor Szalai.
Still teenager, son of former Hungarian international with the same name, Krisztian Lisztes as already signed for Bundesliga Eintracht Frankfurt and would enter our squad having produced a great season with Ferencvaros, touching the 10 goals and six assists.
Also in the midfield, Szuhodovszki left Kecskemet for Debrecen in January, keeping producing staggering performances and calling scouts to turn on him and observe his skills and field stamina.
During decades nowadays known Fehervar was Videoton and from this side comes also left footed nutcracker Matyas Katona. Developed in historic Ujpest youth academy, it's curious to observe that Katona has no call up for any Hungarian side, but his season calls for a better view, he can play as a winger, as an offensive midfielder, even as a second forward, has goal, has sight, has pace, only 24 years old, he can jump into a bigger league this summer.
The attacking trio would be composed by Komaromi, from Puskas Academy, 22 years old, left footed winger, crazy good and full of hunger for more, a second tier star, Zalan Vancsa, who scored immensely with Belgian Lommel, and a follower of the American Dream, Daniel Salloi, who is playing for Sporting Kansas City.
It would be easier to bring back oldies but goodies Dzsudzsak and Konyves, who are still scoring like crazy in the Hungarian league, 13 and 11, respectively, but it was opted to go with the future! Another possibility would be Hamburger SV striker Andras Nemeth, South African born.
Switzerland
Many claim Italy as the original inventor of the defending football. They were the developers, true, bringing it to an all new level, but who truly created the strategic defending football was Austrian Karl Rappan, who started to manage while still playing in the early 30's, for Servette. Rappan quickly understood that Swiss sides weren't able to have the skills and technique to face stronger opponents, so he invented the 'bolt', the 'verrou', the 'catenaccio', later developed by the likes of Rocco, Herrera and other Italians.
Home to loads of immigrants, Swiss teams reflect that, with players who come from many different origins, which enrich the team and currently give the side the creativeness who lacked and led Rappan to that football development.
Our alternate goalie is champion von Ballmoos, always securing Young Boys the defense and already collecting six national leagues, still to be called up to the Swiss, natural due to the rivalry, with Kobel, Mvogo, Sommer. Outside this list still Omlin from Monchengladbach.
On the central defense a Bosnian and a Turkish descendants, Omeragic left FC Zurich for Montpellier last summer and did well in the French team, while Cömert was loaned out from Valencia to Nantes, also playing the Ligue 1. Portuguese born Ulisses Garcia on the left back and exciting DR Congo descent OGC Nice's Lotomba on the right back. A powerful and speedy defense.
Leaving names like Kevin Mbabu, Edimilson Fernandes, Fassnacht, who had a marvelous individual season with second tier Norwich, Steven Zuber or goalie Burki says a lot about the quality of this Swiss team.
On the central midfield Kosovan descent Bislimi, who played graciously for Lugano, and Spanish descent Maxime Dominguez showing himself in the Portuguese league with Gil Vicente.
The wingers would be Swiss champions Joel Monteiro, who scored a lot this season, another Portuguese descendant, and Ugrinic, Serbian son, very good at assisting, at discovering the right players.
The front would be covered by Seferovic, now at the United Arab Emirates league, with 15 goals this season, and Cedric Itten, to have a great connection with the wingers.
Angolan descendat from Servette Kutesa or Kosovan descent Zeqiri could have also entered this squad.
Group B
Croatia
At 11 years old Kotarski moved from his youth side NK Tondach to the Dinamo Zagreb Academy, moving to the even greater Ajax academy as a teenager still, Croatian international in all national teams, in 2022 moved from Gorica to the Greek side PAOK, where he became champion and showed skills. At 24 years old, he may be losing for now the third spot for Labrovic but Kotarski can rival Livakovic for the number one spot in the Croatian side.
Three in the back with names that are usually called up and have a name built already, with 27/28 years old Caleta-Car and Tin Jedvaj are quality guaranteed and Filip Uremovic has already experience from Russia, England, Germany, Slovenian champion and playing interestingly for Hajduk Split currently. They would put up a strong back side.
Leaving out names like Ante Rebic, Roko Simic, Petar Musa, Borna Barisic or Nikola Moro, Croatia would still be a very strong side. On the wings the choice goes to Fran Tudor, nephew of former international Igor Tudor, playing in the physical Polish Ekstraklasa, where he was champion in 23 with Rakow, and on the left Domagoj Bradaric, French champion with Lille, not enjoying the best moment with Salernitana, but a locomotive who would be very useful to the team.
We have always associated Croatia with ball possession and technique, having players like Brozovic or Kovacic playing 'defensive midfield', so in this alternative team the midfield choice goes to Rijeka pair Niko Jankovic and Toni Fruk. Jankovic came from Dinamo Zagreb academy, scoring 14 goals and assisting seven, while Fruk mastered the assists, 17, netting four times.
In the front Fran Brodic, who left Croatia early and experienced Belgium and Italy, returning home to be one of the references for the champion Dinamo Zagreb. Alonside him youngster Ante Crnac, now with Rakow, netting 11 times this season, and Josip Brekalo, well known and another regular on the Croatian squad.
Italy
Youth Italian champion with Inter Milan, Di Gregorio was named top goalkeeper of the Serie A with Monza and earned a contract with Juventus, where he'll surely grab the number one spot and is our choice to defend this Italian alternative team.
Gabbia and Romagnoli are easy choices to the back center and adjusting Lazzari to the right back with Biraghi on the left gives loads of experience to this squad.
The machine room would be filled with monster Locatelli and sensation Ricci, having Orsolini on the right and hot prospect Ruggeri of Atalanta on the left.
Belotti and Pinamonti are goal sure and would be up the front to impact the opponent's defenses.
Pessina, Gnonto, Politano, Bonaventura, Immobile or Kean are not in these choices either, but this Italian team would be tremendous.
Albania
Albania is a challenge but it wasn't that hard to devise this alternative team. In the net Pano Qirko who had a fabulous season with Partizani, conceding only 25 goals in 36 matches. With 24 years old he's a name to consider for the goal in other leagues.
On the right back Swiss born Veseli, now playing in Turkey, very experienced, that would give balance to the defense. On the left Ndreca, 29, never had the chance to play outside Albania, a left back who can play in any place defense-wise and has got goals and assists. As central defenders the choice goes to Lokomotiva Zagreb Mersinaj, having a life made in the other Croatian capital side, only 25 years old, and next to him Klisman Cake, playing in the Macedonian league, good on the offense and defense.
On the midfield Keidi Bare who is enjoying a good season with Espanyol 'Pericos', bringing them back to the top tier. Arinaldo Rrapaj is only 22, still with Partizani, one of the best offensive midfielders in Albania, great in the last pass; to balance, Belgium born Lindon Selahi, now playing with Rijeka after spending time in the Belgian and Dutch leagues.
Granada's Uzuni, having 11 goals in the Spanish league, a natural choice; Kristal Abazaj returned to Albania after playing in Belgium, Croatia and Turkey, being a strong fit for KF Tirana, also netting 11 times this season. Back to his hometown and team, Vllaznia Shkoder, Bekim Balaj offered over 20 goals this season and could still be a very good option for the central attack.
Spain
Spain started this Euro with a match way above the expected by most experts. De La Fuente is putting the team playing very attractively and showing strength, however our choices would also be presenting the same result.
Overshadowed by the numbers of his transfers, Kepa lost his place as first choice goalie but would enter our alternate side.
On the right back Pedro Porro, having a blast with Tottenham as he did with Portuguese side Sporting CP. On the the center back the Pau power, young Barcelona teen sensation Cubarsí and Villa's Pau Torres with the left being filled with another La Masía sensation, Guinean descendant Alejandro Balde.
The central midfield would have Aleix García who guided Girona to a tremendous season, whilst Atletico's Marcos Llorente continues to give Simeone the power, the stamina, the pace, the control he needs.
Pablo Sarabía would be our winger with Iago Aspas, Club Brugge sensational Ferran Jutglá and Athletic's Guruzeta completing a powerful offensive team to destroy the initial build up of any opponent, high pressure would be the focus and goals galore would be the result!
Let's put here some names that aren't in the Euro and are also not part of our choices: Marco Asensio, Rodrigo Riquelme, Bryan Zaragoza, Fran García, Alvaro Djalo, Oihan Sancet, Gerard Moreno, Hugo Duro, among others.
Group C
Slovenia
Distant from their 90's glorious side, Slovenia is recovering and again on the final stages, also enjoying the success in several sports, with top stars in Basketball, Cycling, the winter sports, etc.
Former youth sensation, Anze Jug never got to the top level his youth potential anticipated, going from Girondins Bordeaux academy to Sporting CP's one, in 2020 Jug returned to Slovenia to defend the colors of Maribor where he has been enjoying solid and consistent performances, unfortunately being shadowed by the likes of monstrous Oblak and also having Vid Belec and Vekic as alternatives. Jug would be our goalie choice.
Having also Zaletel or Kuzmic, playing in Denmark, or NYCity FC Ilenic as possibilities for the back line, the three back defenders would be David Zec, returning to Slovenia to be debutant champion with Celje, a city known for its handball side but now also champion in football, Olimpija's Marcel Ratnik and left footed Sven Karic of Maribor, three home ground men, with the sides that fight for the title. On the left side experimented Klemen Sturm, now with Bosnian Velez Mostar, who could easily turn the back into a four line men defense, which allow to put in the right back wing offensive midfielder Rudi Pozeg Vancas, with Hungarian DVTK, producing amazing game this season, scoring and assisting heavily.
Star player Kevin Kampl would fit our team alonside Maribor's Jan Repas, playing over 40 matches this season, 27 years old, with vision, pass, skills, goal.
Portuguese born Luka Zahovic wouldn't be in our side for the lack of minutes in the Polish league. For the offense our choice would go into Danijel Sturm, having good numbers with Domzale; champion and topscorer Aljosa Matko, who returned to Slovenia from his Swedish spell to help Celje achieve something little thought they could and scoring 18 goals to claim the golden shoe and Andrés Vombergar, Argentinian born Slovenian descendant who is now playing in the UAE league.
Denmark
For Denmark it was decided to leave out from this alternative side goalkeepers Jonas Lossl and Andreas Hansen, Skov, Jens Stryger Larsen, Zinckernagel or Frendrup, among others, as said above, this is always a subjective view.
In the net our vote goes to Vindahl, loaned from AZ to Czech side Sparta Prague, winning the national trophies in Czechia, and proving quality.
In the center of the defense Toulouse's Nicolaisen and Brondby's Rasmussen, both very experienced and giving confidence. On the back wings coveted Villadsen of Nordsjaelland, 22 years old offensive right back, and Malte Amundsen, MLS solid performer to counterbalance the offensiveness of Villadsen.
Bournemouth's Billing would be the balance in the midfield to allow creativeness to roll from Matt O'Riley, who performed fantastically with Celtic, nearing 20 goals and 20 assists in the season, and Gronbaek one of the sensations in 2024 Bodo Glimt in Norway, already having almost netted 10 times.
On the way to MLS, Ingvartsen has been showing his skills in Europe, last season with Nordsjaelland, Vallys got Brondby near the title again and at 27 is on his prime, would be a nice fit to several squads. Surprise champion in Austria, Mika Biereth was born in London and belongs to Arsenal, spent the first part of the season in Scotland and in January went to Graz to help the club become champion and win the Austrian cup, he would be our choice for the front.
Serbia
With only 20 years old, Veljko Ilic has been one of the best goalkeepers in the Serbian league with FK TSC Backa Topola, being our net choice ahead of 'Italians' Radunovic and Stankovic.
Russian champion with Zenit, Erakovic, 22 years old, would be one of the central defenders alongside Masovic of Bochum, part of that historical recover against Fortuna Dusseldorf in the Bundesliga playoff.
It would be easier to go with Red Bull Salzburg Terzic and CSKA Moscow's Gajic for the back wings, but instead we chose Lazarevic, solid right back with Vojvodina, and Grozny's Bogosavac for the left to have a very strong back quartet.
Helping Holstein Kiel achieving an historic promotion, our pendulous would be Ivezic to free Zukic to create; the Vojvodina offensive midfielder catches several eyes and will jump to top leagues soon.
Cukaricki's Adzic pulled off a great season and will be a free agent, a great bargain. With 21 years old, Pantovic is another gem from FK TSC Backa Topola waiting to be scouted, in a league where each goal is very expensive he got more than 10!
The performances done with IMT Beograd saw Strasbourg sign him for 4,7 M € and at 18 years old Milos Lukovic is showing off talent and irreverence, anticipating how he'll perform in Ligue 1.
Born in Bosnia-Herzegovina Dejan Joveljic is enjoying the glamour of Los Angeles, but keeps scoring for the Galaxy team, which would put him on the right spot for the Serbian alternative team.
England
Southgate made is choices, the team is young and ambitious but this England is one of the teams where the talent basis is larger. In this alternative side there are a lot of good choices and left out we have Tino Livramento, Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Kalvin Phillips, Angel Gomes, Mason Mount, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Rashford, Tammy Abraham, Raheem Sterling, Calvert-Lewin or Jadon Sancho...
In our goal we would put Nick Pope, in the defensive Milan's Tomori, Wolves' Kilman and Chelsea's Colwill, Arsenal's Ben White on the right and Crystal Palace's Tyrick Mitchell on the left.
The midfield has gigantic power with Ward-Prowse, Gibbs-White and Maddison to let loose surprise cut Grealish and powerful Solanke.
This side could win the Euro!
Group D
Netherlands
Another side with a lot of good choices out of the Euro and also not entering our choices like Padt, who performed very well with Bulgarian multichampion Ludogorets, Van Hecke, Brighton defender, Timber, Tete, Veltman, Karsdorp, Rekik, Wijndal, Matusiwa, Pablo Rosario, Mitchell Bakker or Kenneth Taylor and Steven Berghuis... so many talent.
So our goalie would be Bizot, Brest's goalkeeper. In front of him Beukema of Bologna sensation and Ajax teen sensation Jorrel Hato, with Teze, a pure assist man, from PSV on the right and Fenerbahce's Oosterwolde on the left. Dutch-Brazilian Gustavo Hamer as defensive midfielder, a life story worth knowing, and goal producers Calvin Stengs of Feyenoord, Guus Til of PSV and scorer Steijn of Twente, to second Toulouse's Dallinga and eternal striker Luuk De Jong!
France
When you see Alban Lafont, Badiashile, Zouma, Disasi, Todibo, Varane, Lacroix, Boey, Nkunku, Mukiele, Digne, Ghendouzi, Veretout, Khephrem Thuram, Akliouche, Cherki, Caqueret, Adli, Soumaré, Lacazette, Ben Yedder, Wahi, Ikoné out of the selection and also not in our choices, that says a lot about the quantity of quality France has to choose from.
Our goalkeeper would be Chevalier, trusted by Paulo Fonseca and proving greatly to be a very strong goalie.
Also from the 'Dogues' is teen Yoro who would make a triplet in the back alongside RB Leipzig Simakan and Lukeba. On the left Rennes Truffert and Chelsea's Malo Gusto on the right.
Able to play as central defender or defensive midfielder, to give consistency to the youngsters in the back would be PSV Boscagli, and box-to-box Stuttgart's Millot to project the team forward.
On the attack Villains' Moussa Diaby, Munich's sensational Mathys Tel and in the central attack Palace's Mateta.
Poland
In Poland we opted to keep Dragowski, Leszczynski, Slask's goalie, Cagliari defender Wieteska, Hertha's Karbownik, Heerenveen Bochniewicz, Birmingham's Bielik, Kaluzinski, Linetty, Lakomy, Mateusz Bogusz, Kaminski, Benedyczak, Wlodarczyk, out of this choices, even though we are particularly fond of some of them. The way was always to try and look and good seasonal performances and to match the players to present an eleven which could really produce quality in the pitch.
For the net we would go with Grabara of Copenhagen, Kedziora of PAOK and Slask Bejger in the back, Cash on the right back and Wdowik on the left, one of the pillars on the Jagiellonia Polish title.
As defensive midfielder Ludogorets Piotrowski, leading his side, captaining and not only balancing but also scoring. Vitesse's Kozlowski and Dziczek from Piast Gliwice to aid Lech Poznan Marchwinski and the front shakers Marczuk, huge with Jagiellonia, and Chodyna, who is leaving Zaglebie Lubin for Legia Warsaw for under 1 M €.
This tells us that Ekstraklasa is a league to watch, it continues to produce a lot of talents, very complete!
Austria
In Austria we could have called up goalies Stankovic or Bachmann, Baidoo, Dragovic, Klarer, Alada, Lainer, Ljubisic, Valentino Lazaro, Kainz, Murg or Freiburg's Adamu, but decided not to.
Our eleven not starts with goalkeeper Lawal, 24 years old, still with his hometown LASK. Three back central defenders with champion Affengruber, Werder Bremen captain Marco Friedl and Slovak champion Kevin Wimmer. On the left back another Austrian champion with Sturm Graz, Schnegg, and exciting righ winger from Rapid Vienna Christoph Lang.
The midfield would be composed by creative Bochum's Kevin Stöger, Clermont Foot's Muhammed Cham of Gambian and Senegalese descent, another creative producer and scorer, and Ivorian born Thierno Ballo, also with pace, goals, impressibility, doing greatly with Wolfsberger.
On the front experienced striker Robert Zulj and Slovenian star with Maribor Jakupovic.
Group E
Ukraine
A difficult choice for a country whose league was very rich but devastated by war. We opted to left Sobol, Ignatenko, Kovalenko and Kryvtsov also out and designed this eleven with Riznyk in the poll, proving himself as a very valid choice with Shakhtar Donetsk.
The back line with three central defenders, Bochum's veteran Ordets, Dynamo Kiev's Popov and Zorya's young gun Batagov. On the right Ponedelnik from Kryvbas, and on the left Matsenko from Polish side Slask. Also from Poland arrives Kochergin, going 50 matches with Rakow this season, Shakhtar's Bondarenko and Kryskiv to fill the midfield.
On the offense Gutsulyak from Dnipro-1 and Danylo Sikan with 16 goals for Shakhtar this season.
Slovakia
Slovakia produced the major surprise in the inaugural matchday of the 2024 Euro, beating Belgium even without players like Koscelnik, Safranko, Jirka, Polievka, Kapralik or Nino Marcelli, who are also out of our choices.
Our Euro NOT for Slovakia is aligned by Takac in the poll, Spartak Trnava goalie, 24, made in the club and now free to choose a new path.
In front of him Podbrezova interesting back defender Bartos, Mallorca's Valjent, and Sepsi's Ninaj.
Already hired by Italian promoted side Como, Peter Kovacik is the right back in this side, while on the left another youngster full of potential, Zilina's Javorcek.
The experience and quality of Rusnak to fill the midfield, playing with Sounders in the MLS where he is for several years now, alongside Kadak, Swiss Luzern's offensive midfielder.
On the attack well known Robert Mak, youngster Matej Trusa and Serbian born and former youth sensation Cavric, who is starring in the exciting and speedy J-League.
Belgium
In Belgium there is again a difficult transition, remembering the 'Red Devils' from the 70's and 80's prolonged towards the 90's but having difficulty in interchanging and giving the new names place and space. The 'golden generation' failed to grab trophies.
Courtois, Mignolet, for the goal, Bornauw, Zinho Vanheusden, Alderweireld, Denayer, Deman, Lokonga, Trésor, Saelemaekers, Ngonge, Cuypers or Dries Mertens aren't in the Euro squad and also were out of our choices.
Youngster, 22, Vandevoordt is growing in Genk, hired by RB Leipzig for 10 M € and on the line to become the next Belgian goal poll owner.
Only 19, Spileers is already a pillar in Club Brugge defense, aiming higher in the career, Koni De Winter took advantage of his loan from Juventus to Genoa, returning to Turin hopefully to claim a spot in the 'Bride of Italy', and left footed Austrian champion Lavalée. Foket from Stade Reims on the right back and OL Malick Fofana on the left, another teen sensation to keep tabs on.
Arne Engels from Augsburg and teen Stroeykens from Anderlecht to help the most underrated Belgian players of nowadays Hans Vanaken, whose numbers speak for themselves at Club Brugge.
Batshuayi scored enough to deserve a spot and Balikwisha is a wild gun at Antwerp and would be crazy enough to destroy defenders on the opposite sides.
Romania
We decided not to call goalie Andrei Radu, also experienced players like Chiriches, Camora, Bumba, Ionita, Rares Ilie, Pascanu, Manea, Oprut or Matan, opting for the above designed eleven.
Razvan Sava, only 21, would be our choice for the goal. Already having spent time in Turin, he returned to Romania to shine with CFR Cluj-Napoca.
A trio in the back with Polish Cracovia's Virgil Ghita, covering the center-right, Cibotariu son in the center and Rapid's Paul Iacob on the center-left.
With Hagi's Viitorul Academy, now merged with Constanta's Farul as the main supplier and player academy in Romania, it's only natural to have footballers coming from there, a couple in the central back, the right back Dan Sirbu, who is still at FCV Farul Constanta, and an 18 years old left back, Borza, who left Farul for Rapid last season and shone with the capital side. Borza won't stay at Romania for long.
Another Hagi graduate, 21, Grameni would fit very well our midfield next to Cosmin Matei, 32, curiously formed at Farul, not the Viitorul academy yet.
Florin Tanase, yes, graduated from Academia Hagi, now at the UAE League, Dan Nistor, who in spite being already 36 produced heavily with Universitatea Cluj, with 15 goals scored and 12 assists in the season, and Mitrita, back to Romania to star with Universitatea Craiova, would made our offensive trio.
Group F
Turkey
The first appearance from Montella's Turkey on this Euro was exciting, chaotic but exciting, not having players like Cengiz Under, Emre Mor, and the casualties of several players.
Our alternative eleven would have Babacan in the poll. At 35 he's still one of the best Turkish goalkeepers, probably better than the ones called up.
Sporting Braga's Saatçi would be in our defensive line, with the 'Che's' Ozkacar as central sheriff and on the center-left Kasimpasa's teen sensation Yasin Ozcan, another one to watch closely and accompany the evolution.
Besiktas' right back born in Germany Onur Bulut would fit our eleven with Glasgow Rangers Ridvan Yilmaz on the left.
Galatasaray Berkan Kutlu and Besiktas Salih Uçan would be seconding Can Uzun, who played immensely with Nurnberg side, 18 years old, 19 goals, top scorer, player of the season, probably a transfer to the likes of Dortmund, a star to carve.
Dutch born Oguz Aydin of Alanyaspor and Schalke's German born Kenan Karaman would complete our attack.
Georgia
Debutantes in a final stage, Georgia is living the dream but still leaving out names like Torino's Sazonov, Ujpest's Kobouri, Vojvodina winger Giorbelidze, star Gagnidze, former Gil Vicente Aburjania, Kairat's Zaria, K-League striker Mikeltadze or Russian Premier Kutateladze, to mention that currently there are players spread around the world which could fit the national sides but the number is always limited and you have to make your choices.
It's important to state that USSR side, dominating in the 50's, 60's, 70's, always had Georgian footballers making an impact. Gogoberidze, Chkuaseli, Metreveli, Meskhi, Chokheli, Urushadze, Kavazashvili, Kutivadze, Khurtsilava, Sichinava, Tskhovrebrov, among others, and people still surely remember the likes of the Arveladze brothers, Kaladze, now eyes on the star Kvaratskhelia and his acolytes.
In our alternate the poll belongs to Kereselidze, 24 years old, leaving Dinamo Tbilisi to shine with Dila Gori, keeping half his games with clean sheet in the Georgian league this season!
Beriashvili performed well with Mezokovesd and is upping the game within the Hungarian league moving to historical side MTK, being our central defender on the right with Kalandadze of Dinamo Tbilisi the left sided central back. Triple champion with Dinamo Batumi is the right back Mamuchashvili, while on the left back Shakhtar youngster Azarovi.
With eight goals in the start of the season with Iberia, Shota Nonikashvili is our choice central midfielder, playing next to Bidzinashvili who is with Kazakh's Zhenis.
Former Portuguese Madeira's side Nacional, Arabize would be in our offensive line, with Chanturishvili more on the wing, having good performances with Czech Jablonec, Guliashvili would be free from the other wing but appearing often in the center, like he did with Velez Mostar and having another very versatile and hard to mark attacker, now in China, Qazaishvili in the front.
Czechia
Not a side with the velvet midfield of the past, when Rosicky and Nedved made the line, 20 years ago when the Czech side was the best at the Portuguese Euro but lost in the semis to an unexpected Greek future winner, the Czech have built a strong side, physical but with technique and capability, probably too back minded and arrested in the fear of the opponents, nonetheless able to cause damage.
Our Czech Euro NOT also left out names like Pavlenka, Brabec, Adam Gabriel, Alex Kral, Jankto, Cvancara or Vydra.
Jedlicka started the season on the bench, went on loan to Bohemians only to return to Viktoria Plzen and grab top spot, being huge under the goal, thus making him our choice for the net.
Kaderabek still performs outstandingly therefore earning our choice, easily, for the the right back, while on the left Zmrzly is also obvious, being strange how he's still in the Czech league. Teplice's youngster Chaloupek was already adquired by Slavia due to his monstrous performances in the back. Italian descendant, Stronati has been proving himself with Puskas Academy in Hungary and would fit our left central back.
The older Sadilek brother would be in our team, as he is the boss of Sparta Prague's midfield, having Kalvach next to him, another name who strangely opts to still stay in the Czech league.
Playing in the Dutch second tier NAC Breda, Dominic Janosek was extraordinary pulling out 15 goals and 11 assists to help the team return to Eredivisie, exciting Mlada Boleslav's Vasil Kusej would be the other winger.
Upfront big man Pekhart, still with his scoring skills well present at Legia Warsaw, would grab defenders and help Jurecka score, like he does so well with Slavia Prague.
Portugal
Your country is always the hardest to define. So many choices, so many mistakes possible.
Ricardo Velho was great with Farense, top goalie in the Portuguese league, as side backs there were FC Porto's João Mário, Famalicão's Francisco Moura, Estoril's, now Wolves, Rodrigo Gomes, Casa Pia's Leonardo Lelo, Frankfurt's Buta, Napoli's Mário Rui, in the central back Rafael Fernandes of Lille, Amaro, now in the Middle East, as midfielders William of Betis, Famalicão's Gustavo Sá, Vitória's Händel, Everton's André Gomes, Valencia's André Almeida, offensively Fábio Vieira of Arsenal, Rafa and João Mário of Benfica, Paulinho of Sporting CP, Beto of Everton, Bruma, Jota, Jota Silva, André Silva, Gonçalo Guedes, Dany Mota, among so many others.
For the net we would pick Rui Silva, a self made man, growing in Maia, proving himself in Madeira with Nacional and shining in the Spanish league, probably the second best Portuguese nowadays.
For the back line we would get three defenders, Penetra, who is now with Dutch side AZ, Diogo Leite of Union Berlin and Wolves' Toti Gomes. On the right back Lille's Tiago Santos and for the left Sporting CP Nuno Santos, a difficult choice since Moura, in particular, has been putting quite a show in Famalicão and probably would give a stronger defensive response for the team.
Florentino Luís would be the defensive midfielder and we would choose Azores born Polish champion Nené to accompany him. Nené grew a lot in Poland, showing all his potential, not limited offensively like it happened in his Portuguese spells. Almost left football but thrived and now shines in Poland.
Pedro Gonçalves, Pote, is a natural choice in this team, as is shaker Trincão, they would combine well as they do in Sporting CP. The third man for the attack would be Ricardo Horta, who can play also in multiple positions.
This would be a side without a center forward to serve as reference, but with four players who could appear at any time there not giving the opposing defenses any marking references and displacing them in that process.
