The greatest Tottenham Hotspur EURO lineup of all-time
By Fionn White
![Czech Republic V Germany, UEFA Euro 1996 Final Czech Republic V Germany, UEFA Euro 1996 Final](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3000,h_1687,x_0,y_110/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/208/01j0cc7tgpqwmfwgxfkr.jpg)
Earlier this week, we looked at the current Tottenham Hotspur players taking part in Euro 2024, which got underway in Germany this evening.
But who gets on Spurs' All Time Euro XI? What Spurs players, past and present, have lit up Europe's elite international competition?
Many Lilywhite greats are unlucky to miss out due to their lack of involvement in Europe's elite international tournament. Even England captain Harry Kane misses out due to Euros records set by two players that you may have forgotten even played for the club.
The greatest EURO Tottenham Hotspur lineup of all-time
GK Hugo Lloris (France)
Former club captain Lloris enjoyed a decorated international which included a World Cup win in 2018. While he didn't enjoy the same success at the European level, Hugo played at three Euros, reaching the final at France's home tournament in Euro 2016 before eventually losing out to Portugal.
RB Kyle Walker (England)
Recently appointed vice-captain for his third Euros with England, it could have been four for Walker who was ruled out of Euro 2012 through an injury suffered during Spurs' final game of the 2011/12 season against Fulham.
He will be looking to help former Spurs teammates Harry Kane and Kieran Tripper build on the Three Lions' final appearance in Euro 2020.
RCB: Alderweireld (Belgium)
Alderweireld struck up an effective partnership with his compatriot Jan Verthongen for club and country from 2015 to 2021. During this time the pair played at Euro 2016 and Euro 2020, losing out at the quarter-final stage on both occasions. Similar to their Tottenham tenures, their Belgian squad was full of purebred quality that never quite made it to the winners enclosure.
LCB: Jan Verthongen (Belgium)
Super Jan is giving himself at least one more chance to redeem himself, however. The 37-year-old, now with Anderlecht in Belgium, is going into his third Euros with the Belgian Red Devils as the nation's most-capped player.
LB Ben Davies (Wales)
The club's longest-serving player and current Welsh captain was ultimately left disappointed when his charges missed out on a place in Germany after losing to Poland on penalties in March's playoff final.
Davies can, however, reminisce of his fond Euro memories this summer, having helped Wales to their historic run to the semi-finals in Euro 2016, despite losing out on the semi-final loss to Portugal through suspension. Davies also played every Welsh game in Euro 2020, in which his side got to the Last 16.
CM: Luka Modrić (Croatia)
It was at Euro 2008, a month before joining Spurs, that the world was treated to the Croatian's midfield maestro ability, and he was named on the team of the tournament at 22 years of age.
A 22-years-old Luka Modrić in the Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament. 💫 pic.twitter.com/2GdlLd8x8B
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) September 9, 2022
Fast forward 16 years, Modric is heading into his fourth Euros fresh after winning his sixth Champions League, and continues to run the midfield like he did so many times at White Hart Lane from 2008 to 2012.
RCM: Paul Gascoigne (England)
Another world-class midfielder once on Tottenham's books that lit up the Euros. Gazza scored arguably one of the tournament's best-ever individual goals against Scotland in Euro1996 and celebrated accordingly before eventually losing out to Germany on penalties in the semi-final.
LCM: Christan Eriksen (Denmark)
The former Spurs playmaker will forever be remembered in Euros folklore for more than just football. In Euro 2012, he played his part in each group stage game as his spirited Danish side defeated the Netherlands and narrowly lost to Portugal and Germany.
In Euro 2020, the football world came to a standstill when Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch during his side's opening game against Finland. Driven on from Eriksen's scare, his teammates went on a memorable run that saw them eventually bow out in the semi-final to England.
Eriksen will hope to make his third Euros appearance in Germany, as Denmark will again be pitted against England in Group C.
CAM: Gareth Bale
Listed as CAM but 'ANYWHERE' would be a more relevant abbreviation, similar to the role he played in Euro 2016. Bale scored in each of the Dragons group-stage games in France, including freekicks against Slovakia and England, helping his nation on their way to a historic run to the semi-final.
After returning to Spurs on loan for the 2020/21 season, Bale again led his country to the knockout stages of the Euros, scoring both goals in a crucial win against Turkey in the delayed Euro 2020.
CF: Hélder Postiga
Hélder Postiga scored one Premier League goal in 19 appearances during his time at Tottenham in the 2003/04 season (Transfermarkt).
Weeks after his first and only season in England came to an end, he came off the bench to score against the English in Euro 2004 with the Portuguese eventually winning on penalties. He also scored at the quarter-final stage in Euro 2008, as well as a group-stage win in Euro 2012 (uefa.com).
CF: Jürgen Klinsmann
In scoring at three separate Euros tournaments, the Portuguese forward is part of an elite 10-man club (via Opta Analyst). Another one that makes up that club is another White Hart Lane wonder.
Jurgen Klinsmann to this day remains one of Germany's most decorated players and one of Tottenham's most valuable imports. Die Mannschaft's joint-top scorer at Euros finals spent two spells at Tottenham in the 1994/95 and 1997/98 seasons, where he notched up 29 goals in 56 Premier League appearances. In between, the forward managed to squeeze in the small matter of captaining his country to Euros victory in Euro 96.
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