In-demand Spain winger makes U23 Euro 2024 Group Stage Best XI
As we continue to look back on a thrilling group stage at Euro 2024, we’ve highlighted the best XI of players aged 23 and under. Represented in our U23 Team of the Group Stage are Georgia, Netherlands, Serbia, Italy, Portugal, Germany, England and Spain.
Giorgi Mamardashvili (Georgia) - 7.75
One of the stories of the group stage was Georgia qualifying for the round of 16, in what is their first ever major international tournament. Crucial to his side making it out of Group F was Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, whose 9.25 WhoScored rating against Czechia marked the best performance of the competition thus far.
Lutsharel Geertruida (Netherlands) - 6.23
Feyenoord defender Lutsharel Geertruida started just once in the group stage, in the Netherlands' final game against Austria. The 23-year-old managed four tackles, and will be hoping to keep his place for Tuesday’s last-16 clash with Romania.
Strahinja Pavlovic (Serbia) - 7.12
Salzburg’s Strahinja Pavlovic was one of very few bright sparks for Serbia as they bowed out at the earliest opportunity. The 23-year-old centre-back exited the tournament as his side’s highest rated player, while he managed 11 tackles, four interceptions, nine clearances and three blocks.
Riccardo Calafiori (Italy) - 6.89
Joining Pavlovic at the heart of our backline is Bologna man Riccardo Calafiori, who has proved one of the revelations of Euro 2024 so far with his impressive displays for Italy. The 22-year-old put in an assured display in the Azzurri’s opening win over Albania, before going on to assist the crucial equaliser against Croatia on Monday evening.
PSG full-back Nuno Mendes was thrown somewhat in at the deep end by Roberto Martinez when he was deployed as a left-sided centre-back, but the 22-year-old adapted well and ends the group stage as Portugal’s fifth highest rated player. Only Joachim Andersen and Virgil van Dijk are so far averaging a better aerial duel win rate than Mendes (81.8%).
Jamal Musiala (Germany) - 7.77
One of the stars of the tournament so far has been Germany’s Jamal Musiala, who netted in each of the hosts’ two group stage wins against Scotland and Hungary. Musiala also managed four key passes and nine successful dribbles, while only Khvicha Kvaratskhelia won more ground duels (21) than the Bayern attacker (20).
Jude Bellingham (England) - 7.18
Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham started Euro 2024 as nearly everyone expected, with the winning goal for England against Serbia, but since that performance, the 20-year-old has somewhat struggled to reach the same level.
Bellingham’s average rating means he earns a place in our XI, but his match rating decreased in each game over the course of the group stage, culminating a 6.32-rated display vs Slovenia. Gareth Southgate will have the expectations of the nation weighing on his shoulders as he plots how to get the best out of Bellingham and his attacking partners Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden when England take on Slovakia in the last-16 on Sunday.
From Madrid to Barcelona we go, as the Blaugrana’s all-action midfielder Pedri makes our U23 Team of the Group Stage. The 21-year-old provided an assist in La Roja’s opening victory over Croatia, while he has also made more key passes (6) than any other Spain player so far.
Joining Pedri is teammate Nico Williams, who sparkled in Spain’s wins over Croatia and Italy before being rested against Albania. The Athletic Club winger mustered five key passes and six successful dribbles across both games, putting Europe’s elite clubs on red-alert, given the £50m release clause in his current contract at San Mames.
Georges Mikautadze (Georgia) - 7.42
Rounding off our XI are two Georgian heroes, who helped fire their nation to the last-16 in their first international tournament, starting with current tournament top scorer Georges Mikautadze. The Metz striker scored in each of Georgia’s three group games, while also providing an assist in the historic victory over Portugal.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia) - 7.15
The remaining half of Georgia’s deadly attacking duo is Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who sparkled throughout the group stage, winning more ground duels than any other player (21) and netting the opener in Wednesday’s victory over Portugal that sealed qualification.
