BEST GOAL
July 1: Wales 3, Belgium 1 in Lille
In the 13th minute, Belgium’s Radja Nainggolan cracked a shot from 30 yards out that nestled inside the top left corner.

BEST SAVE
June 27: Italy 2, Spain 0 in Saint-Denis
In the eighth minute, Italy’s Alessandro Florenzi played a dangerous ball into the box where Graziano Pelle connected on a header that seemed destined for the lower corner. Spain’s David de Gea did incredibly well to get down quickly and push it wide of the post. Shades of Gordon Banks’ save on Pele in 1970!

BEST GAME
June 22: Hungary 3, Portugal 3 in Lyon
What an unbelievable 90 minutes of breathless soccer—it will go down as one of the most memorable of the group stage in tournament history. To see Hungary go right at Portugal the way it did, and to see Cristiano Ronaldo and his cohorts come back from a goal down on three separate occasions—unreal!

BEST STORY
Iceland. On paper, their Round of 16 contest was a mis-match, with England’s gang of high-paid Premier League stars having the advantage over Iceland, who Cristiano Ronaldo previously said had a “small mentality,” and predicted “are not going to do anything in the competition.” Not only did Iceland beat England, they also showed you don’t need a team of super stars to go far in international tournaments.

BEST MOMENT
A reminder that sports can bring people together:

BEST CELEBRATION
Italian manager Antonio Conte goes nuts after Azzurri beat Spain:

BEST TWEET
Irish fans sure know how to let their hair down:

BEST QUOTE
“Throughout the tournament, we were as simple as doves, and wise as serpents.” – Fernando Santos, Portugal manager

BEST STAT

BEST TV COMMENTARY
June 27: England 1, Iceland 2 in Nice
This Icelandic commentator loses it after the final whistle:

WORST TV COMMENTARY
June 27: England 1, Iceland 2 in Nice
Epic fail by former England manager Steve McClaren. EPIC FAIL!

WORST MOMENT
June 17: Czech Republic 2, Croatia 2 in Saint-Etienne
With Croatia sitting on a 2-1 lead in the second half, flares flooded the Czech Republic’s end after Croatian supporters tossed them onto the pitch. While stewards raced to clear them away, a loud firecracker was also thrown onto the field while Croatian fans fought amongst themselves on the terraces, heightening the already uneasy tension inside the stadium. Play was halted for several minutes so that things could calm down, but the Croatian players were clearly rattled. The Czechs were in the ascendency after the disruption and Tomas Necid equalized in the 89th minute from the penalty spot after Domagoj Vida was penalized for a handball. Croatia coach Ante Cacic described the fans responsible as “sports terrorists.” Ugly scenes.

BIGGEST FLOP—TEAM
Austria. So many pundits had high hopes for them, what with so many of their top players plying their trades in the Premier League and Bundesliga. But the Austrians were so disappointing, losing two of their three games and only scoring one goal as they finished dead last in a winnable group with just one point.

BIGGEST FLOP—PLAYER
Thomas Muller. He had a poor tournament, failing to score in all six games—including that horrible miss in Germany’s shootout win over Italy in the quarterfinals. So much was expected of him, as he’s dominated previous international tournaments. He didn’t come close to delivering.

LASTING IMAGE
July 10: Portugal 1, France 0 in Saint-Denis
The sight of Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench as he encouraged his teammates in extra time of the final, and the way he was anxiously walking up and down the technical area, all the while carrying a heavy limp and clearly in physical agony, in the dying minutes will be among the lasting images of this tournament. Ronaldo’s mental and physical toughness has long come into question by his most vocal critics. Surely, he’s proved to them he’s as tough as they come.

https://twitter.com/FilthyFootball/status/752259279508348928

BEST PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT
Antoine Griezmann. Scored a tournament-high six goals, and put in a number of man-of-the-match efforts for France on its march towards the final. The Frenchman firmly established himself as one of the elite players on the planet.

BEST XI OF THE TOURNAMENT (4-3-3 FORMATION)
• Goalkeeper: Rui Patrico (Portugal).
• Defenders: Joshua Kimmich (Germany), Leonardo Bonucci (Italy), Pepe (Portugal), Jerome Boateng (Germany).
• Midfielders: Toni Kroos (Germany), Raphael Guerreiro (Portugal), Blaise Matuidi (France).
• Forwards: Gareth Bale (Wales), Dimitri Payet (France), Antoine Griezmann (France).
• Manager: Antonio Conte (Italy).

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It’s behind us. It’s over. Thankfully?

If nothing else it will be remembered as an odd tournament with a ‘clunky’ format, some engaging fairytales, a lack of goals, a sprinkling of drama, and a Portuguese team that forced us to reconsider our view of them, what they are or what we thought they were supposed to be.

Here are my thoughts on Sunday’s final

• Historically, Euro has been a strange tournament. Denmark and Greece were crowned champions, but so too were legendary sides such as France and Spain. Portugal? They will join Denmark and Greece as shocking winners, but still deserved winners.

• Of course Portugal played some dreadful soccer for much of the last month, and by that I am only referring to their strategy. The fact is they stuck to their strategy superbly, willing to kill off any enjoyment of the game, comfortable in the knowledge that as long as the end justifies the means who cares about the spectacle.

• I don’t blame Portugal for this at all; it is what International football has become. I really don’t know what the answer is in terms of fixing it, but expanding these tournaments to 24 and then 32 teams certainly is not the answer.

• Over the years I have been harsh on Cristiano Ronaldo, while always respecting his talent. Even I felt for him when he was taken off in the first half. Seeing CR7 trying to muscle through it was excruciating, and I hope even his biggest critics can admit that to call Ronaldo ‘soft’ is a glaring misjudgment.

• I assumed that would be it, there goes any chance they had to win this thing, but for some reason France refused to take it to Portugal. Perhaps this was because it was actually easier for Portugal to play their favoured way, and go all-out defence, but the bottom line is France let itself down.

• I will be asked this many times over the next few days, but no, winning Euro doesn’t change Ronaldo’s legacy or his position in the bastion of all-time greats. It is subjective of course, but regardless of what happened on Sunday he is one of the greats.

• Pepe won significant points throughout the tournament for his brilliant defending, and the fact that he didn’t ruin it with his usual jamesantics. I almost began to like him. I am sure within a few weeks of La Liga commencing the old Pepe will return though.

• Euro began with some wonder goals, and overall the quality of goals scored was of a very high level, but let’s all be honest—this was not a very good tournament. There were awful matches and some very average teams. However, Portugal and its passionate fan base should enjoy it—they did it better than anyone else, and if England was able to win a Cup playing that way, I would gratefully take it.

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THE RESULT
• Match report: Portugal 1, France 0 in Saint-Denis || Match stats

THOUGHTS ON THE DAY
Portugal deserved champions of Europe: The statistics don’t necessarily paint a favourable portrait of Portugal’s historical European Championship victory. The Portuguese went undefeated in the competition, but were ahead for only 73 minutes of the 720 minutes they played in France. They never won a group stage game, qualifying for the knockout round as a third-place team, and they only won one of their seven matches in regulation time. What’s more, Portugal’s cautious tactics didn’t exactly win over neutral fans—where was the attacking, swashbuckling brand of soccer we’ve come to expect from them? Portugal’s win over France in Sunday’s final left a sour taste in a lot of mouths of critics who felt they not only didn’t deserve to win the tournament, but that they were also incredibly lucky to do so.

Here’s the thing, though: You don’t fluke your way to winning an international tournament such as the European Championship. You simply don’t. You don’t survive a tough group that included Hungary and Iceland, you don’t beat teams the calibre of Croatia and Poland, and you don’t best a nation in Wales that had a great deal of momentum behind it strictly with luck. As far as that old chestnut about how Portugal wouldn’t have even qualified for the second round under the old Euro format, that’s a facile argument. Who cares? They won this tournament. That’s all the matters. One win in 90 minutes? Who cares? Did I miss the memo that says victories earned in extra time or in a shootout don’t count the same?

Ultimately, skill, tournament management, and execution of a clear game plan were the major reasons why the Portuguese were crowned kings of Europe.

Full credit must be given to manager Fernando Santos for setting up a tactical system in which his players thrived. He not only changed the way Portugal has historically played, but he also managed to squeeze every ounce of talent out a side that was hardly the most talented at this tournament. Portugal a one-man team that relies on Cristiano Ronaldo to carry them? That argument has been put to bed, hasn’t it? Ronaldo had his moments in France, but he was hardly the dominant player we’ve witnessed over his career. It says so much about this team’s character that it was able to carry on and beat the host nation without their captain and talisman.

Say what you will about how Portugal played—it wasn’t especially attractive or adventurous, but it was pretty effective. Led by the commanding Pepe, Portugal proved to be very well organized and incredibly tough for opponents to break down. They were also the most consistent side in the completion—they were never out of any game, and always managed to get a result. That’s what teams do. That’s what champions do. You don’t have to like way Portugal did it. But you have to give them their due—they earned it.

Ronaldo’s legacy enhanced: Tears of sadness turned into tears of joy for Cristiano Ronaldo in the space of two hours on Sunday. The Real Madrid star crashed to the pitch in a heap after being clattered into by Dimitri Payet. The knee-on-knee collision reduced Ronaldo to tears as he originally limped off the pitch. Portugal’s medical staff bandaged his knee up, and he returned to the game for a few minutes, but the pain was just too much. He was stretchered off in the 24th minute, forcing Portugal to play the majority of the game without its captain and best player. Ronaldo was crying after the final whistle, but this time his emotions got the better of him for an entirely different reason, as his country won its first major international tournament at senior level, something the much-heralded “Golden Generation” of Luis Figo and Rui Costa never delivered.

https://twitter.com/CauldronICYMI/status/752222775469891584

Even though Portugal won this game without Ronaldo, his legacy was still enhanced, his reputation boosted by what took place on Sunday. No doubt had he scored the winner in dramatic fashion that it would have done wonders for his status as one of the greatest players of all time.

But there was something far more compelling, far more human about the way he tried to fight through the pain, the way he tried to carry on, and the way he asked to be subbed out (knowing he’d be a burden rather than a help) than any piece of skill he could have produced on the pitch. The sight of him on the bench as he encouraged his teammates in extra time, and the way he was anxiously walking up and down the technical area, all the while carrying a heavy limp and clearly in physical agony, in the dying minutes will be among the lasting images of this tournament. Ronaldo’s mental and physical toughness has long come into question by his most vocal critics. Surely, he’s proved to them he’s as tough as they come.

THE GOAL
In the 109th minute, Eder took a pass and that went on a bit of a run while fighting off a couple of challenges before hitting a low shot from 25 yards out that beat French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

SAVE OF THE DAY
In the 10th minute, Dimitri Payet played a ball on for Antoine Griezmann. The Atletico Madrid forward directed a looping header towards goal that Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio tipped over the crossbar with a stunning one-handed save.

BEST MOMENT OF THE DAY
https://twitter.com/FilthyFootball/status/752259279508348928

TWEET OF THE DAY

THE GAME WITHIN THE GAME

SIX PACK OF STATS
• Portugal is the 10th different nation to win the European Championship.
• Cristiano Ronaldo made just eight touches on the ball before being subbed out of Sunday’s final.
• Eder is the sixth substitute to score in a Euro final, along with Oliver Bierhoff, Sylvain Wiltord, David Trezeguet, Juan Mata and Fernando Torres.
• This was the sixth Euro final to go to extra time, but the first to end goalless after 90 minutes.
• Ronaldo is the first player to start in a second Euro final more than four years after his first (12 years—2004 and 2016).
• Portugal’s Renato Sanches (at 18 years and 326 days) is the youngest player to appear in a Euro final.
Stats courtesy of Opta

BURNING QUESTION

3 STARS
1) Rui Patricio, Portugal: The veteran goalkeeper made a number of smart and important saves to keep Portugal in the game.
2) Pepe, Portugal: Another outstanding effort from the defender who anchored a Portuguese back line that thwarted the hosts.
3) Eder, Portugal: Entered the match in the 79th minute, and scored the winner in extra time.

TOURNAMENT SO FAR
•Matchday 1 recap: Magnificent Payet rescues France || Typical Giroud performance
•Matchday 2 recap: England gets what it deserves || Bale already proving his worth for Wales
•Matchday 3 recap: Modric pure magic for Croatia || Germany’s Goetze not a false 9
•Matchday 4 recap: Spain’s resolve sees them through || Italy’s experience the difference
•Matchday 5 recap: Portugal blows it || The hoopla over Kiraly’s pants
•Matchday 6 recap: It can be a cruel game at times || What was Deschamps thinking?
•Matchday 7 recap: English relief after beating Wales || You gotta love Northern Ireland
•Matchday 8 recap: Spain sends a message
•Matchday 9 recap: Ronaldo cuts a distraught figure
•Matchday 10 recap: Albania has held its own || In defence of Ronaldo
•Matchday 11 recap: Slim margins could doom England || What is England? Does Hodgson know?
•Matchday 12 recap: Croatia turns tournament on its head ||
•Matchday 13 recap: Ronaldo is just trolling us || England should fear Iceland
•Matchday 14 recap: A day to completely forget in France || Shaqiri’s strike can’t save the day
•Matchday 15 recap: Irish adversity best thing for France
•Matchday 16 recap: Buffon’s ‘Zoff moment’ for Italy || So, what’s next for Italy?
•Matchday 17 recap: Not pretty, but Portugal grinds it out
•Matchday 18 recap: Wales much more than just Gareth Bale
•Matchday 19 recap: Italy leaves with heads held high
•Matchday 20 recap: Shades of 1998 World Cup for France || France simply too much for Iceland
•Matchday 21 recap: Portugal’s fight for respect continues || Portugal the new grind-masters
•Matchday 22 recap: Griezmann among the best in the world || France goys from boys to men

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A Selecao have been underwhelming during their drive towards their first Euro final since 2004, claiming just one victory within 90 minutes and extending a stretch of mediocrity that has seen them record just seven victories over their past 14 contests heading into Sunday afternoon’s France vs. Portugal betting matchup at Stade de France.

Portugal’s dormant offence finally showed signs of life in its victory over Wales, sealing the win with a pair of quick goals early in the second half after getting outshot and out-possessed by the speedy Dragons during the first 45 minutes.

With each of its three group stage matches ending in a draw Portugal managed to back into the knockout stage, where they enjoyed a favourable seeding in a weak bracket that featured just one pre-tournament favourite, Belgium, who were sent packing following a stunning 3-1 loss to Wales.

The squad’s recent stretch of matches not decided in regulation time is reflected on the three-way odds in Sunday’s contest, with a draw pegged as a +210 bet.

While its advancement to the final continues a trend of success in six previous Euro appearances, Portugal must now confront a French side seeking to win their second European championship title on home turf.

France entered this year’s tournament atop the Euro 2016 futures as +300 chalk and have not disappointed, powering to a first-place finish in Group A before picking up knockout stage wins over Ireland and Iceland.

Les Bleus then passed their biggest test of the tournament, knocking off Germany in the semifinal by a 2-0 score despite being largely dominated by the defending World Cup champions. They are now unbeaten in 17 of their past 18 international tournament matches played on French soil.

France has also dominated Portugal on the pitch for more than a generation, winning in 10 straight meetings since 1975, including three international tournament wins, further fueling their strong -225 odds of winning their third-ever Euro crown and solid even-money odds of ending Portugal’s dream inside 90 minutes.

But Les Bleus will have to penetrate a stingy Portuguese defence that has allowed more than one goal in a game just once in their past 18 outings, a trend that has put downward pressure on a goal total currently pegged at 2 with the UNDER sporting -115 odds.

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France is a country that does mass healing better than any other, usually marked by a scene of red, white and blue, as well as singing—lots and lots of singing. That was the case in Marseille when Les Bleus made the final of Euro 2016 by beating world champions Germany. La Revolution, indeed.

The sight of the Stade Velodrome united in jubilation wasn’t quite as breathtaking as the one witnessed after France’s World Cup triumph in 1998, when over a million people took to the streets of Paris to greet their champions, but it wasn’t far away. That triumph was about more than just sport, and another French victory on Sunday would similarly transcend soccer.

This European Championship, just like the 1998 World Cup, has been played against the backdrop of societal unrest. The circumstances are of course very different, but nonetheless, this French team has more than just sporting expectations heaped on their shoulders. They are charged with lifting an entire nation.

MORE ON EURO 2016: Sportsnet has you covered with in-depth coverage of Euro 2016 in France, which runs from June 10 to July 10.

• Match schedule || Group standings || Live scoreboard || Latest news
• Profiles: All 24 teams || History of Euro || Top 10 moments in Euro history
• Sportsnet’s predictions || 10 players to watch || 5 key group stage games

It’s not just their country that Didier Deschamps’ side is spiritually carrying. Europe is a continent in turmoil at present, with governments debating and voting on whether to tear themselves apart from one another. Euro 2016 has been a tournament of escapism, and France has become the team of the escapists.

Host nations are often the favourites of the neutral, especially when it’s France—the land of flair, panache and romance. Unless you’re Portuguese it’s probably safe to say that those without a horse in the race will join the thousands at the Stade de France in waving a tricolore. For the first time in a while, Europe might enjoy some sense of unity on Sunday.

Euro 2016 has been the most political of tournaments: from England fans’ Brexit-inspired chants in Marseille, to the Croatia support’s pyrotechnic protest against their own football association. And then there’s the lingering impact of the atrocious terror attacks in Paris last November. Security was beefed up at Euro 2016, as it has been across the continent for the past few months. A sense of unease has refused to shift throughout this tournament.

It’s a scenario the likes of which France is perhaps accustomed to more than most. Back in 1998 Aime Jacquet’s French team was the subject of political scrutiny, with the country’s far right political parties’ opposing the diversity of his squad for the World Cup. Eighteen years ago, France was a country divided and uncertain of its prevailing direction.

But the glory of France’s World Cup win unified a country in desperate need of unification. Jean-Marie Le Pen and his followers were marginalised by the cultural awakening enjoyed over the summer of 1998. The hope is that a win for France over Portugal this weekend would restore a sense of self-confidence to a nation still somewhat unsure of itself after the events of the past year.

Yet there is consistently comfort for France on home soil. They have won the last two major tournaments they have hosted (the 1984 European Championship and the 1998 World Cup), and now they have the chance to make it a hat trick of home soil glories against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal on Sunday.

Deschamps is the figure that spans both generations. He was captain of the French team that won the World Cup in 1998, and now he is the national team’s manager, leading them to Euro 2016’s final. Perhaps only Zinedine Zidane and Michel Platini (before he became European soccer’s pantomime villain as UEFA president) would rank above him in the pantheon of French legends.

This tournament needs a happy ending. Never before has the European Championship been preceded by more apprehension than anticipation. Some of that could be dispelled by what happens in Saint-Denis on Sunday. Euro 2016 has borne a number of uplifting plot lines (Iceland’s maybe the most up-lifting) and the final needs another one.

A million revellers might not take to the Parisian streets in the event of another French win on Sunday, but this tournament has succeeded by capturing in some form a semblance of what made the 1998 World Cup so special.

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