Two weeks ago, the city of love opened their arms to the world, and yesterday, the women’s football tournament culminated in the USA winning the gold medal.
Mallory Swanson scored the only goal of the game as Emma Hayes led the Stars and Stripes to their fifth gold medal, in just her tenth match in charge.
Brazil picked up a silver medal, their third in their history, while it was Germany who claimed the bronze.
There have been plenty of moments for fans to enjoy, from Australia and Zambia producing an eleven-goal thriller, to the Samba Girls dumping out World Champions Spain.
However, who has made Vavel’s Olympic Team of the Tournament?
Goalkeeper – Ann-Katrin Berger
The USA’s Alyssa Naeher and Brazil’s Lorena can both stake a claim to be in this position, but what Berger has done during these games is nothing short of outstanding.
It was only a year ago that the now former Chelsea keeper became the German number one under manager Horst Hrubesch, but she has taken the shirt and run with it over the last few months.
In France, Berger kept Germany in games against Australia and USA, but it was in pressure scenarios where the Gotham goalie rose like a phoenix.
Two saves in the shootout against Canada, and if that wasn’t enough, Berger herself struck home the winning spot kick. Then against Spain, with ten seconds to go, she saved Alexia Putellas’ penalty to seal the bronze medal for her country.
With Berger now in the NWSL, many of us on these shores may not see her for a long time, however, as she sets off on her American adventure, Berger can make a strong claim to being the best keeper in the world at this moment in time.
Right back – Emily Fox
Right back isn’t a particular attractive position, and famously, no one wants to grow up and be a Gary Neville, but Fox is making right back look like an easy and a fun place to play.
The American had to face plenty of good wingers. Mary Fowler, Jule Brand, Klara Bühl, Marta to name just a few, but on every occasion, Fox got the better of them.
She may not have blistering pace others do, but her footballing brain is always one step ahead of everyone else, and she proved that once again during this tournament.
In many ways, the Arsenal defender is quickly becoming women’s football premier right back, and with performances like this, she will have more gold medals around her neck in the future.
Centre back – Naomi Girma
Having played every minute of every game for the United States, Girma showcased why she is rapidly becoming one of the best in her position.
You never see her chasing forwards, and you never see her really breaking into a sweat, but why? Because her position is always spot on.
Whether she needs to close the gap to her centre back partner or go over and support the likes of Fox and Crystal Dunn, there’s no one better at reading the game than Girma.
Having cemented herself as the best American defender, and probably the best defender in the NWSL, you have to wonder how long it will take before Girma makes the move over to Europe and show everyone why she’s one of one.
Centre back – Tarciane
No one expected Brazil to even sniff the gold medal match during these Olympic Games, but a big part of why they got there was their defence, and Tarciane was a big part of that.
From the group stage games, the defender was showing just how strong she was defensively, including making an incredible clearance off the line against Spain.
Then, moving into the knockout stages, Tarciane went up another level. Against France, she marked Marie-Antoinette Katoto out of the game, and the whole defensive unit were never under any real threat from les Bleus.
Then against Spain, Brazil put bodies on the line, and they defended like their lives depended on it, including Tarciane.
The game against the USA was just a step too far for the Samba Girls, but Tarciane can certainly leave France with her head held high.
Left back – Giulia Gwinn
It’s very rare that a defender can be touted as a potential player of the tournament contender, but Gwinn has done more than enough to be considered for the honour.
From a defensive perspective, Gwinn did well to mark the likes of Sophia Smith and Hayley Raso, but it’s from an attacking standpoint where she thrived.
With Brand and Bühl in front of her, because of her drive and determination to get forward, it allowed them to have more freedom, and they both had great tournaments.
Her set piece delivery is also incredible. There aren’t many better than Gwinn in a dead ball scenario.
All in all, it’s been an Olympics to remember for Gwinn, who like Fox, has become one of the best full backs on the planet.
Centre midfield – Sam Coffey
A lot of Americans received a lot of plaudits for being the stars of the show, but Coffey is someone who goes under the radar, but she plays such an important role for the US.
To be able to give the attack minded players a chance to thrive, you need someone in the midfield who isn’t afraid to do the dirty work, and Coffey does just that.
Sitting in front of the defence, Coffey adds a perfect balance to the midfield. She wins the ball back so quickly, and then offloads to someone else, before resetting in her position.
When the Portland Thorn didn’t play, you soon realise just how important she is to Emma Hayes. Against Japan, the midfield lost its balance, they play looked sloppy, and they never had a true shape in the middle of the park. That is the biggest compliment you can pay to Coffey.
Centre midfield – Janina Minge
When you lose a player like Lena Oberdorf on the eve of a major tournament, as a manager, it can give you sleepless nights. Yet, when you have a player like Minge ready to takeover, those fears are laid to rest pretty quickly.
Playing alongside her more attack minded midfield partner, Sjoeke Nüsken, Minge held the fort in the middle of the park, and dominated every opponent she came across.
Even when she had two players on her in games against Canada and Australia, Minge was dominant and was easily able to establish herself as a force.
It will be interesting to see when Oberdorf comes back what happens to Minge, because she has stated a strong case to be a regular starter in this German side.
Centre midfield – Rose Lavelle
The so-called Trident that is the US front three always needed someone to be that link between themselves and the midfield, and Lavelle was always available to them.
Lavelle was able to pick up little pockets between defences and midfield, and that allowed the front three to shine.
Her passing range and ability is second to none, and the way she ghosts in unmarked is so difficult for opponents to pick up.
Others have had good tournaments in the midfield, such as Spain’s Teresa Abelleira and Brazil’s Gabi Portilho, but none have had the impact Lavelle has had.
Right wing – Trinity Rodman
The pink hair, the flair, the speed, the finishing ability; Trinity Rodman really does have that main character energy only few possess.
Whenever she receives the ball, she already knows she’s beating the defender, and she did it time and time again in France.
In many ways, it felt like she was the one who got the Americans out of trouble with either a goal, assist, or just a much-needed burst of energy.
Rodman has become one of those box office players that is becoming a name off the field, purely because she has it.
Striker – Mayra Ramirez
Katoto, Swanson, Barba Banda all had great tournaments, but Ramirez just has something about her.
You can point out that she’s only played two games, and that is a fair shout, but what she did in those two games was nothing short of unbelievable.
Against France, after such a poor first half, she dragged her team back into it. Pace, power, determination, Ramirez had it in bucket loads and my goodness did she scare the hosts.
Fast forward to the knockout game against Spain, and quite simply, Ramirez was a handful. The experienced Spanish defence simply didn’t know what to do, and when the Chelsea forward did go off, Colombia were never the same.
There is no one like Ramirez playing in the women’s game right now.
Left wing – Linda Caicedo
Brand was so close to nabbing this spot, but Caicedo was so consistent for Colombia.
When Caicedo gets on the ball, there’s an expectation, an intrigue, a lean forward on your seat. That’s because the Real Madrid wonderkid has this ability to create something out of nothing.
Throughout the tournament, the way Caicedo received the ball on the halfway line before bursting past defenders and setting up others was mesmeric.
This Colombian side is packed with good players, and Caicedo might possibly be the best of the lot.
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Publish date : 2024-08-11 07:50:00
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