The Five Breakthrough Stars of Euro 2024

AFP/APP

Berlin: After 50 games and the exit of 22 teams, England take on three-time winners Spain in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin on Sunday. The tournament has showcased a talented next generation of footballers, including teenagers Lamine Yamal, Arda Guler, and Kobbie Mainoo, but several established players have shown their class on the European stage.

Here, AFP Sport looks at five stars who have broken through with impressive performances at Euro 2024:

Dani Olmo (Spain)

Spanish starlets Yamal and Nico Williams have lit up Euro 2024 from the flanks, but Dani Olmo’s contributions from the middle of the park have proved crucial for the finalists. The 26-year-old, well-known in Germany after four years at RB Leipzig, has made everyone stand up and take notice of his ability with a string of excellent performances in his adopted country.

Having sealed Spain’s 4-1 last-16 win over Georgia with a late goal, Olmo came off the bench after just eight minutes to replace the injured Pedri against Germany in the quarter-finals, scoring the opener and assisting Mikel Merino’s extra-time winner. In Spain’s semi-final with France, Olmo’s 25th-minute strike proved decisive, sending his team to their fifth Euros final. Olmo now has three goals, the equal most in the tournament, alongside two assists despite only starting two of Spain’s six games.

Marc Guehi (England)

Playing in his first major international tournament, England’s Marc Guehi quickly established himself in the middle of Gareth Southgate’s defensive set-up. Just 23, he has been calm and assured alongside John Stones in central defence, with England conceding just three goals in five games with Guehi on the field.

When suspended for England’s quarter-final against Switzerland, some asked how the Three Lions would replace the Crystal Palace centre-back, such is his importance to the side. Guehi has also contributed in attack, assisting Jude Bellingham’s last-gasp equaliser against Slovakia in the last 16, which saved England from an early tournament exit and kept them on track for a maiden Euros triumph.

Cody Gakpo (Netherlands)

Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo was front and centre in the Oranje’s run to their first Euros semi-final in 20 years at Euro 2024, before a 2-1 defeat by England. The orange shirt seems to bring out the best in the 25-year-old, whose impressive performances at the Qatar World Cup preceded a big-money transfer to English giants Liverpool.

Gakpo scored the equaliser in the Netherlands’ 2-1 group-stage win over Poland, while his opener in the 3-0 win over last-16 opponents Romania calmed nerves in a tense encounter. An onrushing Gakpo also forced Turkey to concede a late own goal, which proved to be the winner for the Dutch in the quarter-finals.

Giorgi Mamardashvili (Georgia)

Napoli forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia may have been the country’s biggest name at the tournament, but man-mountain Giorgi Mamardashvili stood tall in Georgia’s run to the last 16. A centimetre shy of two metres in height, Mamardashvili’s presence between the sticks was calming for the burgeoning football nation in their first-ever Euros appearance.

The 23-year-old goalkeeper made 30 saves in four matches, the second-most in Euros history after Igor Akinfeev’s 32 for Russia in 2008. Mamardashvili’s performances will not be a surprise to La Liga fans, with the Valencia ‘keeper among the best in Spain this season.

Marcel Sabitzer (Austria)

A key part of Borussia Dortmund’s surprise run to the Champions League final, Austria midfielder Marcel Sabitzer continued his stellar form at Euro 2024. Austria emerged top in a group featuring semi-finalists France and the Netherlands and were whispered to be dark horses for the competition until a surprise last-16 loss to Turkey in torrid conditions.

The 30-year-old scored the winner in Austria’s 3-2 win over the Dutch, which secured top spot, thundering the ball under the crossbar from a tight angle. A constant goal threat, particularly from long range, Sabitzer’s boundless energy was key for Ralf Rangnick’s full-throttle Austria side.