MNA Sports Desk: France forward Antoine Griezmann has been declared as the Golden Boot winner of Euro 2016. He becomes the UEFA Euro 2016 Player of the Tournament, though the prize is limited solace for Les Bleus’ 1-0 final defeat by Portugal on Sunday night.
Griezmann completed the event with the Golden Boot after counting six goals to support France reach the Stade de France final, having scored both goals in the in the semi-final win over Germany as well as netting twice in the comeback 2-1 victory over the Republic of Ireland in the last 16.
Griezmann was shamefaced of missing one of France’s best chances on goal in the final, though his shows during the tournament explain his selection by UEFA’s team of technical observers.
Ioan Lupescu, UEFA chief technical officer, said “Antoine Griezmann was a threat in every game he played. He works hard for his team and possesses technique, vision and quality finishing. The technical observers were in unanimous agreement that he was the tournament’s outstanding player.”
Alex Ferguson, the former Manchester United manager, was among UEFA’s 13-strong panel of technical observers. Other members of the panel that selected the award winners included David Moyes and Gareth Southgate.
Atletico Madrid man Griezmann, 25-year-old, for whom Sunday’s defeat was a second major final loss in a month after the loss to arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League, also won the Golden Boot award for his six goals.
Griezmann and midfield schemer Dimitri Payet were comprised in the UEFA team of the tournament named Monday, as was Portugal skipper Cristiano Ronaldo, who was stretchered off wounded and in tears after a munching tackle by Payet.
Lynchpin Pepe was also included, with fellow Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio and Raphael Guerreiro. There was no place for Gareth Bale, but Wales team-mates Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen, both midfielders, were named in the team of the tournament.