It has been another thrilling edition of the European Championship, and it could be the turning point in many players’ careers. Major tournaments like Euro 2024 are a shop window and can often lead to players securing a transfer to a bigger club.
Here is a look at some of the surprise standout players from Euro 2024.
Dani Olmo (Spain)
Spain’s Dani Olmo is widely considered to be a talented attacking midfielder. However, due to the depth of his country’s squad, he began Euro 2024 as a substitute. After impressing from the bench, he has been undroppable in the latter stages of this tournament, scoring three goals. He is now +600 in the Paddy Power football betting to be named the Player of the Tournament.
Olmo is set to start the final against England where his side is the -150 favorite in the Euro 2024 winner odds. He will have a key role to play just behind Alvaro Morata in Luis de la Fuente’s team. The Spain manager will be hoping he has the same impact as he did in his side’s semi-final victory over France earlier this week.
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The 28-year-old currently plays his football for German club RB Leipzig, but it would be no surprise if some of the biggest clubs in Europe made a move for him this summer. Manchester City is thought to be one of the interested parties.
Related: Euro 2024: England Must Attack Spain From Start To Finish –Sheringham
Jaka Bivol (Slovenia)
Slovenia conceded just two goals in four matches at Euro 2024. They were a tough team to break down, and that was largely down to Jaka Bivol in the heart of their defense. The Udinese player was a rock at the tournament.
Bivol made a total of 38 clearances in Germany, and he had his hands full, marking the likes of Harry Kane, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Aleksandar Mitrovic. Those players were given very little space to work with in their matches against Slovenia.
Everton has been linked with the Slovenian since the country was eliminated on penalties by Portugal in the last 16 of Euro 2024, as the BBC reported. He could prove to be excellent business from Toffees boss Sean Dyche.
Ivan Schranz (Slovakia)
Heading into the final of Euro 2024, Slovakia’s Ivan Schranz is one of six players tied on three goals at the top of the tournament goalscoring charts. Both Olmo and Harry Kane have a chance to win that award outright should they find the net in the final.
Schranz scored the goal that caused one of the biggest upsets at Euro 2024 against Belgium. He then became the first Slovakian in history to score more than once at a European Championship in a 2-1 loss against Ukraine.
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The forward’s third goal came in the last 16 against England. Up until the 93rd minute, it looked as though it was going to be enough to put Slovakia into the quarter-finals, but Gareth Southgate’s side found a late equalizer before winning the tie in extra time.
The official Player of the Tournament and Team of the Tournament will be announced by UEFA following the final in Berlin.
