A TOURNAMENT FOR THE AGES
Record-breaking group stages proved if you’re good enough you’re old (or young) enough
IT started with a thrashing in Munich and climaxed with a fairy tale in Gelsenkirchen.
Thirteen straight group-stage days served up 36 matches and 81 goals, spawned a new Spanish superstar and even proved VAR can deliver offside decisions that do not require long stoppages.
From the hosts battering Scotland in the opener to Georgia’s enthralling conquering of Portugal three days ago, Euro 2024 has already given us plenty to enjoy.
It has also produced a slew of records to be digested as we head into the business end of the show, where 15 games over 16 days will see the
17th crowning of the European champions in Berlin on July 14.
Some records were staggering. Portugal fielded two old-stagers whose combined age was 80, while neighbours Spain loosened the restraints on one player so young that there are not many countries in Europe where drinking or driving are an option for him.
Pepe still anchors Portugal’s defence and, when he stepped on the pitch against the Czech Republic, he became the oldest Euros combatant at 41 years and 113 days.
He then beat his own record against Turkey four days later.
Team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, 39, is a young pup by comparison but he has also been on the record trail, even though he has yet to score in this tournament, becoming the only player to play in half-a-dozen Euros.
“I’m proud to be the first player to play in six,” he said. “I’m thrilled about it as it shows the longevity of my career.”
Luka Modric appeared in his fifth tournament and, before Croatia were eliminated, he managed to slip into the record books by becoming the oldest goalscorer at 38 years and 289 days. Doubtless Ronaldo will be busting a gut to seize that record during the knockout phase.
At the other end of the scale came the future of Spanish football in the shape of the lively Lamine Yamal, the youngest debutant in Euros history at 16 years and 338 days. And, boy, did he make an impact.
The Barcelona winger delighted fans around the world with his boundless enthusiasm and desire to take on defenders. He has been a joy to watch and impressed his manager
Luis de la Fuente, who said: “He just keeps breaking records. He needs to keep growing and I’m sure one day he’ll be one of the best.”
Yamal’s 17th birthday is the day before the final and Spain are in the mix. What a celebration he could have that weekend.
The tournament has also seen the youngest coach of all time in Germany’s Julian Nagelsmann, 36, and youngest captain in Dominik Szoboszlai, 23, of Hungary.
Jude Bellingham, who will hope to show his Real Madrid form to guide England to glory, got in on the act as he became the youngest player to have played in two Euros.
One record that might stand for a while is the fastest goal, by Albania’s Nedim Bajrami (left) after he pounced on Federico Dimarco’s poor throw to hit an unstoppable shot past Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma after 23 seconds.
By the time we reach the final there may be other records, and Germany will be hoping to have set landmarks on the first and last days.
The hosts became the first team since 1960 to score five in the opener and also produced the biggest margin in that fixture (5-1).
If they go on to triumph in Berlin, they will become the first nation to win four titles at the Euros.