An old football saying claims that the goalkeepers are just footballers’ best friends. That’s how much goalies were appreciated when football started its path towards becoming the most important secondary thing in the world. Over the years, they’ve become more important, nowadays even included in the tactics and evaluated by their technical skills. Still, there is some mystification and underestimation when comparing a keeper with any other outfield player. In the end, how many times have we chosen the least talented friend to stay between the posts when playing casual, childish football after school?Euros are actually SouthEuros: secret ingredient of success is – olive oil!?This year’s EURO perhaps isn’t the most attractive, efficient, or memorable one. But one thing stands out – the goalkeepers have stolen the show and have no intention of returning it to the “real stars”. Just look at the official best group-stage goalie – Giorgi Mamardashvili. Although he represents Valencia, a respectable club, only a few football fans have heard of him before. Among the players with “tough-to-pronounce” names debuting at the EURO with their homeland, Georgia, all eyes were on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. However, when it was crucial, Mamardashvili stepped up and did miracles between the posts, securing Georgia another miracle and advancement from the group.Giorgi Mamardashvili has made over twice as many saves as any other goalkeeper at #EURO2024 A national hero 🇬🇪#ESPGEO pic.twitter.com/tBQFfDFtAO— DW Sports (@dw_sports) June 30, 2024 If the Georgian’s performance was unexpected, Gianluigi Donnarumma only proved he was the heart and soul of doubtful Italian squad. Despite his questionable reputation among fans in Italy (mainly AC Milan’s), Gigio showed the heart of the real captain and leader, convincing the Azzurri they got the reincarnation of another Gianluigi – Buffon – arguably the best goalkeeper that’s ever appeared on the Boot.At first, the round-of-16 clash between Slovenia and Portugal didn’t promise much excitement, but in the end, we had a crazy ending and the only penalty shoot-out in the tournament so far. Before the match, everyone talked about Cristiano Ronaldo and a little about his “wingmen” – Bernardo Silva, Diogo Jota, and Bruno Fernandes – on one side, and a future European football star Benjamin Šeško, for whose signature half of Europe is competing, on the other.Contrary to the expectations, they all failed. They missed chances, penalties, free kicks, cried and got increasingly frustrated. Realizing the situation, the goalkeepers had to take matters into their own hands. Jan Oblak saved Ronaldo’s penalty and kept his team’s hope of a quarter-final alive, while Diogo Costa became the utmost hero of the entire country and, at least for a day, became the first news in Portugal, leaving Cristiano in the shadow.Diogo CostaWhat else?Não foram 1, nem 2, foram 3 penaltis defendidos. Bem que Portugal pode agradecer ao Diogo a passagem aos quartos de final. pic.twitter.com/ArErxzpjxy— Nogues (@nogu3s) July 1, 2024 Finally, Turkish goalie Mert Günok was mediocre throughout the European championship, conceding at least a goal in every match he played (six in total). However, last night against Austria, he made the absolute best save of the tournament in added time, ensuring his team the first EURO quarter-final after 16 years and saving his teammates from extra-time torment. That one save is worth a hundred conceded goals. If you don’t believe it, just ask the Turks.Mert Günok’s incredible 95th-minute save 🤯😱#EUROLastMinute | @Hublot pic.twitter.com/N2AImAbc7A— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 2, 2024 And in the end, no, we shouldn’t fool ourselves into thinking that things will change. Goalkeepers will stay in the centre of attention and under the spotlight for a couple of days or weeks more and then return to their usual position. Soon, we’ll continue reading about Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe, and any other new or well-known star. But the time will come, like these days, when goalkeepers will decide to show their power at least once in a while and prove that they are not just footballers’ best friends.##NAJAVA_MECA_8191680##
