While Spain once again reigned supreme in Europe, picking up their second consecutive European Championships title, there were other players who caught the eye with their respective teams as well, and deserved a mention in our team of the tournament compilation. While spoilt for choice in some areas of the pitch, an attempt has been made to portray the players who shone the brightest in this summer’s quadrennial event.

Formation: 4-5-1 / 4-3-3

Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas - Hailed as one of the greatest of his generation, Casillas again showed his worth in between the sticks for La Roja, conceding just the solitary goal all tournament to lead the world champions to a stellar major treble. He surely wasn't the hardest-worked keeper in the tournament, but showed brilliant concentration to come up with the goods whenever he was called into action, along with distributing the ball proficiently from the back as well. Spain have not conceded in their last 990 minutes of action in major tournament knockout games, and "San Iker" has been the paramount reason for that incredible record, as he was again in Poland and Ukraine.

Spain claimed a world record three consecutive international tournament victories, thrashing Italy 4-0 in the Final of the European Championships on Sunday night. The Spanish tiki-taka brand of football was just too good for Italy, who were rendered clueless in Kiev. David Silva, Jordi Alba, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata all found the back of the net after an inspirational play from the front six of Spain. The Italians never looked like staging a comeback once they fell behind for the first time in the tournament.

Spain

Iker Casillas: 8 - The Spain shotstopper was in top form whenever tested, usually from long range. He kept Italy out, keeping a clean sheet en route to a Spain win.

Alvaro Arbeloa: 7 - The Real Madrid right-back put in a decent defensive shift and was seen helping out in attack as well.

Italy upset favourites Germany 2-1 in the second semi-final to grab a surprise place in the final of Euro 2012 opposite defending champions Spain. It was the Azzurri’s mercurial striker Mario Balotelli who scored an excellent brace to finally grab the headlines for all the right reasons in this tournament. His first goal was a brilliantly taken header and the second was a thunderbolt from his right boot, as he helped the Italians continue their winning streak against Germany in international tournaments. Germany were the big favourites heading into the match having won all their matches in the ongoing Euros, but the Italian attack laid bare the defensive frailties of Germany, racing to a two goal lead at the break. The Germans did try to comeback in the second half, but bad luck combined with solid Italian defending ensured that it was not to be. A late consolation from the penalty spot was all they had to show for their efforts as this extremely talented German side was left to rue what might have been.

The most successful side in the European Championships Germany squared off against an Italian team they had a knack of losing to in big matches. With a place in the title showdown against defending champions Spain at stake, both teams were desperate to win. Whilst Germany were expected to continue their winning streak, the surprisingly adventurous Italians were not going to be pushed aside easily.

Spain held their nerve and came out on top in the battle of the Iberian rivals as they defeated Portugal 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out in a game which rather disappointingly never really came to life. Although Xabi Alonso’s effort was saved, misses by·João Moutinho and Bruno Alves have helped La Roja to come within a match of a record three consecutive major titles to follow up their 2008 European Championship win and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. 120 minutes were not enough to separate the two teams in what was a rather dull goalless draw, with Spain having the best chance to grab a winner in extra time, only for·Rui Patricio to palm away Andres Iniesta's effort.

Spain:

Iker Casillas: 7 - The Spain shotstopper did well when called upon, but usually saw shots fly wide and was largely untested. He came out on top in the penalty shoot-out, helping his team to reach the finals.

Italy secured a semi-final spot against Germany after beating a defensively solid England team 4-2 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes. The match was completely dominated by the Azzurri, but they fell behind in the shootout after Montolivo fired wide, only to stage a comeback as the two Ashleys failed to find the back of the net with their spot-kicks. The dreaded penalties were the way out for the Three Lions once again who just could not keep their nerve.

England:

Joe Hart: 7 - The first choice England goalkeeper kept true to his good form, keeping out the Italians with some good saves. However, he was beaten from an early de Rossi shot only to be saved with the woodwork and sometimes could not push out long range shots, putting his side in trouble from the rebound.

A brace from Xabi Alonso, with his second goal coming from the penalty spot, propelled Spain into the semi-finals of Euro 2012 with a comfortable 2-0 victory against France, their first ever against this opposition in a competitive match environment. Spain dominated the contest pretty much from start to finish, and manager Laurent Blanc is sure to be asked hard questions about his bold changes in the starting line-up which backfired miserably. The Spaniards seem well on their way to creating history (3 straight major championships) after yet another comfortable victory.

Spain:

Iker Casillas – 7.0: The Spanish Captain was rarely tested, but stood tall whenever put into action. It is difficult to suddenly make a stop when untested for a long time, but the Real Madrid star made it look easy on his way to another clean sheet.

Portugal clinched a 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic to book a semi-final showdown with the winner of France vs. Spain. Cristiano Ronaldo proved to be the difference between the two sides, scoring the game’s solitary goal with a diving header in the 79^th minute having earlier smacked the woodwork twice. The Czechs had made a flying start to the match before the Portuguese gradually asserted their dominance. However, it was a completely one-sided affair in the second half and the Portuguese deservedly went on to find the winner. However, Hélder Postiga’s injury and their wastefulness to convert the many chances created would be slightly worrying issues for Paulo Bento. The Portuguese in the end deservedly got their revenge for their loss in Euro 1996 at the hands of the Czechs, and it was their main man Cristiano Ronaldo that led from the front and provided that extra bit of quality.

The first quarter-final of the European Championships pitted the Ronaldo-led Portugal side against a Czech Republic team that surprisingly topped their group. Both the teams had a similar record in the group stages of Euro 2012, having won two matches in succession after losing their first one. Unsurprisingly, runners-up Portugal were favoured to win against the Group toppers-Czech Republic.