Euro 2024 came to a dramatic conclusion in Berlin on Sunday night as Spain lifted their fourth continental crown with a 2-1 victory over England.
Luis de la Fuente's side have been the tournament's best team by some distance, beating holders Italy, hosts Germany, France and then England on their way to a title which makes them the most successful nation in Euros history.
Their victorious players dominated the individual awards after the final and, unsurprisingly, feature heavily in The National's team of the tournament.
Giorgi Mamardashvili (Georgia) - GK
In between conceding three on Georgia’s tournament debut against Turkey and reaching out a right hand to stop Nelson Semedo pulling a goal back for Portugal, Mamardashvili made a series of superb saves. The imposing Valencia keeper was as influential as anyone in helping his side to the last 16.
Dani Carvajal (Spain) - RB
Sunday's victory gave Real Madrid's right-back a European Championship winner's medal to go with his Champions League and La Liga triumphs from an all-conquering season. Always a tenacious defender, Carvajal added steel and leadership to the Spanish team and even chipped in with his first international goal in the group stage win over Croatia.
William Saliba (France) - CB
The performances of Didier Deschamps' dreary French team at Euro 2024 won't live long in the memory but they did boast an impressive defensive unit led by the superb Arsenal centre-back. A formidable defender and a smooth distributor, Saliba took his impressive club form into the tournament.
Pepe (Portugal) - CB
The seemingly ageless centre-back showed he'd lost none of the competitive spirit, positional awareness or ability to read the game that made him a defensive rock at Real Madrid for so many years. Now 41, it's likely the last we have seen of him on the international stage.
Marc Cucurella (Spain) - LB
The full-back has struggled since his move to Chelsea last summer but reminded everyone of his quality in Germany with some all-action displays. Brought boundless energy whether it be starting or joining attacks or containing opposition forwards. Did well in his duel with the dangerous Bukayo Saka in the final and even provided the assist for Mikel Oyarzabal's eventual winner.
Rodri (Spain) - CM
The best defensive midfielder in the world was Spain's 'Mr Reliable', starting all seven games and bringing his quality and tactical acumen to the side. Picked up Uefa's Player of the Tournament award and was the lynchpin as Spain won all of their games, even if injury forced him off at half time in the final.
Fabian Ruiz (Spain) - CM
The best midfielder at the tournament. Got his summer off to a flying start with a superb solo goal in Spain's tournament opening 3-0 win over Croatia and never looked back. Elegant midfielder showed all of his quality and had Uefa preferred him to Rodri for the official best player award then there would have been few complaints.
Dani Olmo (Spain) - CM
Started the tournament on the bench but played a huge role for his side – first as a sub and then as a starter in place of the injured Pedri – with three goals and two assists. The RB Leipzig player is reported to have an agreeable release clause in his contract and it will be interesting to see if his performances this summer encourage other clubs to meet it.
Lamine Yamal (Spain) - RW
The face of the tournament and now a global star after a string of electric displays. You might have heard at some point that he turned 17 the day before the final. You'd have to go back to Wayne Rooney in 2004 to find an example of a young player causing such a stir at a major tournament. Yamal is clearly destined for greatness and Euro 2024 will always be the time he announced it to the wider sporting world. His goal in the semi-final against France will go down as one of the great moments in Euros history.
Jamal Musiala (Germany) - CF
It is quite unsatisfactory to move Musiala in off his berth on the wing for the purposes of this exercise but it is hard to make a case for any of the out-and-out strikers we saw this summer. Tournaments are always improved by a buoyant host nation and Germany's Musiala did more than anyone to spark Euros fever on home soil.
Nico Williams (Spain) - LW
An outstanding tournament from the Athletic Club winger whose pace and trickery made him a constant menace for defenders. Made the crucial breakthrough in the final with confident finish. Reported to be Barcelona's top target this summer.
Substitutes
Jordan Pickford: Another solid tournament from England's goalkeeper. Kept his side in the final at times.
Jules Kounde: Impressed on the right side of France's miserly defence.
Marc Guehi: Will be disappointed with role in Oyarzabal's winner on Sunday but can be proud of his efforts this summer.
Arda Guler: Stylish Turkish forward showed his quality and will no doubt light up many more tournaments in the future.
Cody Gakpo: Proved again that he's a reliable source of goals when it comes to tournament football.
Race card
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-2 Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 2,200m
6.30pm: Liwa Oaisi Group 2 (PA) Dh300,000 1,400m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m
The National selections: 5pm: Flit Al Maury, 5.30pm: Sadah, 6pm: RB Seqondtonone, 6.30pm: RB Money To Burn, 7pm: SS Jalmood, 7.30pm: Dalaalaat
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SPEC%20SHEET
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
INFO
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Sri Lanka World Cup squad
Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Isuru Udana, Milinda Siriwardana, Avishka Fernando, Jeevan Mendis, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday
Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm kick-off UAE)
Bayer Leverkusen v Schalke (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Cologne (5.30pm)
Mainz v Arminia Bielefeld (5.30pm)
Augsburg v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Bayern Munich (8.30pm)
Borussia Monchengladbach v Freiburg (10.30pm)
Sunday
VfB Stuttgart v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Union Berlin v Hertha Berlin (8pm)
The%20specs
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TECH%20SPECS%3A%20APPLE%20WATCH%20SERIES%208
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More on animal trafficking
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
HAJJAN
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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