Eleven of the best: my team of Euro 2004

1. PETR CECH

A goalkeeper who commands his area with catches, not punches. Has been faultless throughout and has withheld stiff competition from Ricardo, who has surprised some Manchester United fans I'm sure, Fabien Barthez, who has been faultless in a disappointing French outfit, Gianluigi Buffon, impressive for Italy, and Edwin van der Saar, whose distribution was the best in the tournament.

2. THOMAS HELVEG

Played for Denmark with distinction. Having played with three Serie A clubs (Udinese, Milan and Inter), he displayed the vast experience which has helped him amass 87 caps. Running him close for this position was Giourkas Seitaridis, the 23-year-old Panathinaikos full-back who brilliantly man-marked Thierry Henry of France and Milan Baros of the Czech Republic. Equally solid in the full-back position was Gary Neville of England, who gave a series of superb performances.

3. GIANLUCA ZAMBROTTA

The 27-year-old Juventus full-back played impressively for Italy. It is not surprising that Juve paid £10m for him from Bari, as he proved to be a tough, swashbuckling, attacking full-back.

England's Ashley Cole, too, had a wonderful tournament, but my preference is for the Italian.

4. TRAIANOS DELLAS

Playing the libero role brilliantly for the Greeks, he has allowed his man-marking colleagues to do their job knowing they have security behind. The Roma central defender capped a wonderful tournament by heading the winner in the semi-final against the Czechs.

5. SOL CAMPBELL

In his fifth major championship he again proved to be a winner. He was commanding and assured against France, England's best player, and was thoroughly solid in the other matches.

6. TOMAS GALASEK

A brilliant anchor man for the Czechs. He would play in front of my back four to mop up any danger. It was significant that when the Czechs made changes to play the Germans, they retained his experience, which was invaluable.

7. MANICHE

This wonderful all-purpose Portuguese player would be on the right side of midfield for me, just in front of Galasek. He is an all-round player, capable both of defending and getting quickly in touch with his attack.

8. PAVEL NEDVED

The Czech captain, saved when quarter-final qualification was assured, was unfortunate to receive a nasty knee injury in the semi-final. One could argue that his substitution cost his side the match. However, he would be my wide left midfield player.

9. HENRIK LARSSON

Thirty-three in September, but who would believe that? Barcelona's new striker will be a massive loss to the Scottish game as in this tournament he played brilliantly as the main striker and when his managers withdrew him into midfield, behind the front two.

10. ZINEDINE ZIDANE

Undoubtedly the world's best footballer, possessing fantastic ability which was apparent in every match. Not only is he the most gifted of all French players, he is invariably the most committed. When others around him could be questioned in terms of attitude, no one could quibble with Zidane's incredible contribution.

11. WAYNE ROONEY

Much has been said about the England wonderboy but no praise is high enough for him because of his exciting and mature contribution throughout the tournament. His attitude when patently very badly injured was such that he did not want to leave the field. A broken bone in his foot didn't seem to discourage him from continuing, but inevitably he had to be replaced.

The manager of this team would be FELIPE "BIG PHIL" SCOLARI, of Portugal, in spite of the fact that others such as Greece's Otto Rehhagel gave outstanding performances during the tournament.