No10: The host broadcaster
A massive electrical storm in Vienna saw Germany’s thrilling
showdown with Turkey ruined for every armchair fan around the
world. At least 10 minutes of the rollercoaster semi-final was lost
in the TV coverage, including Miroslav Klose’s goal.
No9: Karim Benzema
The France striker went into the tournament with a growing
reputation as his country’s wonderkid. Fans were told he was the
hottest property outside Italy, Spain and England. But Benzema
failed to impress during his two dismal displays for the hopeless
French.
No8: Adrian Mutu
The former Chelsea striker was tipped to pull up trees with
underdogs Romania. And with a penalty against Italy, he was one
kick away from sending his side into the quarter-finals. But Mutu
fluffed his effort and Romania later tumbled out against
Holland.
No7: The co-hosts
Austria and Switzerland were both among the first seeds for the
tournament as the host nations but they barely raised a cheer for
their own fans. Austria bowed out with a single draw, while
Switzerland’s only points came against Portugal in a dead rubber
following their own elimination.
No6: Mario Gomez
Germany’s route to the final was no mean feat — especially when
you consider they were effectively playing with 10 men for their
three group games. Gomez contributed next to nothing, with boss
Joachim Low seeing sense in the quarter-finals to finally drop
him.
No5: Thierry Henry
The man whose star continues to fade must take some of the stick
for France’s disjointed campaign this month. Henry’s goal against
Holland masked an ineffective showing, with his deflection against
Italy condemning his side to an early exit from the group
stages.
No4: Greece
It seems a bit harsh for the surprise winners of Euro 2004 to be
here but defeat in all three group games was truly woeful. And
Greece's arch-rivals Turkey rubbed the defending champions' noses
in it by reaching the semi-finals with a series of thrilling
comebacks.
No3: Eric Abidal
Playing the world champions in a win-or-bust final group game is
never easy, yet France did not help themselves. When defender
Abidal chopped down Italy’s Luca Toni for a first-half penalty and
straight red card, it was au revoir Les Bleus.
No2: Petr Cech
Leading 2-1 against Turkey with just two minutes left, Czech
Republic had one foot in the quarter-finals— until Cech’s howler.
The Chelsea keeper horribly fluffed a routine cross for the
equaliser, before an injury-time winner sent his side packing.
No1: Luca Toni
The Italian hotshot came to the finals on the back of a golden
season with Bayern Munich, notching 31 goals in the Bundesliga. But
Toni endured a dreadful tournament, missing countless chances as
well as looking like a man running through treacle.
"Luca was apparently very dangerous, but the cow wasn't
worried,"