UEFA has announced the individual accolades for the Euro Cup 2012.
Andres Iniesta was named the best player of the tournament. Uefa technical director Andy Roxburgh stated that Iniesta "symbolised the tournament - the creative, incisive runner, with and without the ball. We felt that he epitomised a lot of what we saw."
Iniesta was a vital part of Spain's attack. He had an assist on Spain's game winning goal against Crotia and helped set up Fabregas for the game winning assist in the final match against Italy.
Iniesta was the man who gave Spain the game-winner against the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup, and despite no big goals or moments, Iniesta was Spain's most consistent threat from game to game.
In addition to naming Iniesta MVP, UEFA also announced the Team of the Tournament which is comprised of the best players of the tournament.
The members of the team were:
Goalkeepers:
Gianluigi Buffon (Italy): Helped Italy to the Final by only allowing three goals in the first five games. Made stellar saves in the semi-finals game against Germany.
Iker Casillas (Spain): Only allowed one goal against in the entire tournament and won his 100th game as Spain's goalkeeper in the final. He became the first person to ever achieve the feat. Had game-saving stops against Croatia and Italy.
Manuel Neuer (Germany); Led Germany to the semi-finals and allowed six goals in five games. Pitched one shutout.
Defenders:
Gerard Piqué (Spain): One of Spain's top defenders who was instrumental in shutting down opposition's top strikers.
Fábio Coentrão (Portugal): Portugal's top defender who had an assist in Portugal's win over Denmark. He faced top competition night in and night out.
Philipp Lahm (Germany): Germany's captain that led them to the semi-finals with a goal against Greece.
Pepe (Portugal): Portugal's top defenseman who intimidated opposition's top strikers. He added a goal against Denmark.
Sergio Ramos (Spain): Spain's top defender, often assigned to the opponents' top striker. He added a nice penalty kick against Portugal and won the CASTROL Index as the top statistical player in the tournament.
Jordi Alba (Spain): The breakout star of the tournament who added a goal in the final and assist against France. Only 23 years only and a future star of Spain's defense.
Midfielders:
Daniele de Rossi (Italy): Had no points, but was Andrea Pirlo's main partner in the midfield.
Steven Gerrard (England): Had three assists for England; one in each of the first three games before being shut down by Italy. Was England's best player by a long shot.
Xavi Hernández (Spain): The brain of Spain's tiki taka passing game. He had two assists in the final match and quietly put together a solid tournament.
Andrés Iniesta (Spain): Won tournament MVP for his consistency game in and game out. He had an assist against Croatia and a number of scoring opportunities.
Sami Khedira (Germany): Had a goal against Greece and an assist in his team's match against Portugal and was an offensive force throughout the tournament.
Sergio Busquets (Spain): Spain's most quiet midfielder, but also the most instrumental in shutting down the opposition's counterattack.
Mesut Özil (Germany): Commanded Germany's midfield with creativity and discipline. Broke out for two assists against Greece, an assist against Denmark, and a goal against Italy in a losing effort.
Andrea Pirlo (Italy): Put together an MVP worthy performance with a goal and two assists. He was the heart and sould of Italy's midfield attack.
Xabi Alonso (Spain): A solid tournament including a brace against France in the quarterfinals.
Forwards:
Mario Balotelli (Italy): Broke out with a heroic two goal performance against Germany.
Cesc Fàbregas (Spain): Spain's most clutch player with a tying goal against Italy in the opening match, an assist on David Silva's game winner against Italy in the final, and the penalty kick winner against Portugal.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): Had an MVP worthy performance by carrying his team past the Dutch and Czechs practically on his own before stumbling before Spain.
Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden): Scored the goal of the tournament against France.
David Silva (Spain): Scored the game winner against Italy in the final and had two goals and three assists throughout the entire tournament.
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