The Graduates

In hindsight, we should all have seen it coming. How, after all, can footballers play their hearts out again, days after completing a gruelling nine-month season in which they have done exactly that? In other words, the tournament was always going to be run by those who had the legs and freshness.

Look at the statistics: star footballers play an average of 34 league matches per season excluding domestic cup and Champions League/UEFA Cup. In contrast, Baros played 13 league matches, Rosicky 19, Robben 23 and Andy van der Meyde 14.

That gave them plenty of energy to burn. And in the sapping Iberian summer heat, they would need all of it. One reason for Rooney8217;s success is his build and sheer strength. You can laugh at the bulldog jokes but this statistic puts it into perspective: Rooney runs 11.82 km per match, 1.4 km more than other forwards.

The statistic comes from ProZone, which database company that works with Premiership clubs and sportswear manufacturers. Their research for Nike showed that Rooney8217;s fellow strikers ran an average of 10.4 km. Even Luis Figo, who as a midfielder should cover more ground, only runs 10.76 km per match.

And Rooney8217;s top speed: 9.7 m/second, or 100m in just over 10 seconds. All this, and shooting skills too! Others who measure up in that category are Ronaldo, Rosicky, Ashley Cole, constantly moving up and down the pitch.

The other factor that worked in their favour was the lack of fear. A couple of days ago, this paper drew a parallel between Rooney and Virender Sehwag for the similar manner in which they go out and blast the opposition. Throw in Irfan Pathan as well and you get an even fuller picture. Think of Pathan bowling to Steve Waugh 8212; no past, no history, just batsman v bowler.

That8217;s what these footballers brought with them to Portugal 8212; loads of confidence backed by ability. Sort of what Otto Rehhagel instilled in the Greece team. How else would you explain Ledley King shackling Thierry Henry, or Johnny Heitinga being among the first to put his hand up for the penalty shootout against Sweden? Or Robben, in that same match, volunteering to take the sixth, sudden-death kick? These guys don8217;t know history; they go by the here and now.

Togetherness also breeds success. Manchester United8217;s 8 Premiership titles in 11 years were won by a team whose core 8212; Fergie8217;s Fledglings 8212; had been together since their early teens. The current Czech team has a similar story, being coached by Karel Brueckner at the under-21 level and winning the European title before graduating to the Big League.

Sometimes, though, you just have to thank the mistakes of club managers for the players8217; success. Gerard Houllier will probably never live down Baros8217;s success; the Frenchman had kept him on the bench for much of the past season. Or Helder Postiga, whose goal brought Portugal level with England. Both, and others too, came to Portugal with a point or two to prove.

They8217;ve proved their point, and how! The footballing world bows to its latest Crown Princes.

THE EURO 2008 XI
It8217;s not easy picking a team of youngsters from those who8217;ve starred at Euro 2004, mainly because of an embarrassment of riches. In trying to select the Dream Team of Euro 2008, Sportsline8217;s football crew has followed two basic criteria: all players should be under 24, and so at their peak four years8217; hence, and give potential as much weightage as actual performance in Portugal. It doesn8217;t make the choosing any easier, though; John Terry gets in ahead of Ledley King even though the latter shackled Thierry Henry in the England-France match. Antonio Cassano would have made it to any other XI but lost out to the tournament8217;s two biggest stars. And maybe Bastian Schweinsteiger will make it to this list in four years time.

But here8217;s a guide to the stars of the next Euro:

Wayne Rooney England/18
Frightening talent. Burst onto Euro 2004 like an exploding supernova. big question: will he burn out, too, like the other young star from Liverpool?

Milan Baros Czech Rep/22
You can say he8217;s not a 90-minute player. That8217;s what they said at Liverpool, too. Has the confidence now to play at his best 8212; if he gets into the team

Arjen Robben Holland/20
In great form till Miguel stifled him in the semis. One man can do it all: dribble, cross, pass, score8230;

Steven Gerrard England/24
Not a good tournament by his standards but not sufficient reason to keep him out. Can only grow in skills and appetite

Tomas Rosicky Czech Rep/23
Will have a huge mantle to bear following imminent retirement of Nedved and Poborsky. But what a delight to watch!

Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal/19
In 11 months, travelled from Madeira to Manchester, from youth player to full-fledged international. And he can head!

Ashley Cole England/23
Usually fluent attacking down the left but curbed instincts to great effect against Portugal, kept Ronaldo on a leash

Johnny Heitinga Holland/20
Makes it for one reason: was among the first to volunteer for the penalties against Sweden in the quarter-final. That, given Dutch history, is some attitude

Petr Cech Czech Rep/22
Does well, especially in penalty corners, and is determined to flourish at new club Chelsea

John Terry England/23
One half of a solid defensive combination; as Chelsea captain, has a very mature head on shoulders

Yourkas Seitaridis Greece/23
Marking of Baros in semis was example of textbook shadowing