UEFA names Griezmann best player of Euro ; Bale misses out on Euro XI

Sir Alex Ferguson was among the 13-member panel that picked the Euro XI along with naming the player of the tournament. Antoine Griezmann must have been a unanimous choice after scoring the Golden boot with six goals and two assists. The 5'9” forward was instrumental in France's hard-earned 2-0 win over a superior Germany side in the semi-final.

"Antoine Griezmann was a threat in every game he played. He works hard for his team and possesses technique, vision and quality finishing," said UEFA chief technical officer Ioan Lupescu, who led the panel that picked the striker.

But the Frenchman would be heartbroken to lose yet again to Cristiano Ronaldo and a side that looked the lesser on the night. Griezmann's Atletico Madrid had lost in penalties to Real Madrid last month in the final of the Champions league.

However, Griezmann would apportion a bit of the blame to himself after he failed to convert from up close on a tough header chance in regular time in the final.

Griezmann's teammate and West Ham player Dimitri Payet found a place in the team for his instrumental role in France's campaign, but that was surprisingly France's contribution to the team.

Keeping up with the norm of awarding the winning team with more places, and for no other reason, the panel named keeper Rui Patricio, defender Pepe, and Raphael Guerreiro from Portugal to the list.

Arguably the best team in the tournament, Germany, took three places with midfielders Tony Kroos and Joshua Kimmich, defender Jerome Boateng finding a place. Ironically, it was Boateng's hand ball that pushed the German side into a sudden death penalty shootout with Italy, but the German was exemplary otherwise through the event.

Wales' Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen complete the XI. Arsenal midfielder Ramsey was pivotal in Wales' dream run, and the winner of the Euro 2016 could very well have been different if Ramsey had not picked up a suspension ahead of the side's semifinal against Portugal.

UEFA team of the tournament: Rui Patricio (POR); Joshua Kimmich (GER), Jerome Boateng (GER), Pepe (POR), Raphael Guerreiro (POR); Toni Kroos (GER), Joe Allen (WAL), Aaron Ramsey (WAL); Antoine Griezmann (FRA), Dimitri Payet (FRA); Cristiano Ronaldo (POR)