UEFA has released its Team of the Tournament following the thrilling action of Euro 2022.
Chosen by a panel of Technical Observers, the star-studded XI is stacked with English and German talent after the historic tournament final.
However, fans of the Lionesses were surprised by the absence of Millie Bright, who was a stalwart in defence for the first-time champions.
Bright’s teammates Mary Earps, Leah Williamson, Keira Walsh, and Golden Boot winner Beth Mead all made the cut.
Germany’s Alexandra Popp, Klara Bühl, Lena Oberdorf and Marina Hegering, as well as Sakina Karchaoui of France were also included.
🥁 Introducing the official 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 for #WEURO2022 🙌
📝 Selected by UEFA’s Technical Observer panel
🤔 Who would make your starting XI?
— UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 (@WEURO2022) August 2, 2022
It’s certainly an impressive squad that any opposition side would fear, but the fact that Bright has been overlooked has not gone down well on social media.
Supporters have questioned why the centre-back did not make the cut after such an influential tournament.
“Really not sure how Millie Bright hasn’t made Team of the Tournament when she was literally the best centre-back,” one user wrote.
“No Millie Bright is a madness,” said another.
“Player of the Tournament for me, can’t believe she hasn’t made the team,” echoed a third.
Bright started every single Euro 2022 match for England and their group stage clash against Northern Ireland was the only time she did not play every minute of the fixture.
According to FotMob, the Chelsea star earned an average performance rating of 7.3.
During England’s quarter-final match against Spain, Bright made eight clearances, three interceptions and won 100 per cent of her attempted aerial duels. Similarly, she made nine clearances, completed three interceptions and won 83 per cent of all attempted duels against Germany.
In both of these fixtures, Bright completely emptied the tank across 120 minutes.
Her efforts may not have earned her a place in the UEFA Team of the Tournament, but plenty of fans and professionals alike recognised just how much she delivered for her country during Euro 2022.
“Name a better defender this tournament, Millie Bright has been sensational,” Girls on the Ball wrote.
Others have described Bright as “unreal”, a “rock” in defence, and one even labelled her the “best defender in the world.”
Bright may not have made the final cut for Team of the Tournament but she has something even better — a first major trophy with her country.
The moment the Lionesses won the Euro 2022 title will always be remembered as one of the milestone achievements that changed the women’s game in England forever.
