2) Many veterans still raring to go all out
This edition of the Euros sees 21 players aged 35 and over. From the never-waning reflexes of Gigi Buffon to the tirelessness of Patrice Evra at full-back to the goal-scoring exploits of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, these players may be on the wrong side of 30, but are just as excited as their juniors to make a mark at these Euro finals.
One may expect the footballers of this age-group to be selected based on reputation and past tournament performances, but not all of them fall into this category this time around.
Atletic Bilbao’s Aritz Aduriz has sprung out of nowhere this season, with a glut of goals and assists to lead his side to a strong finish in La Liga. His performances have impressed Vicente del Bosque so much that it has merited the 35-year old a place in his 23-man squad.
He has earned himself the pride of donning the Spanish colours at an age when most from his age-group usually hang up their boots, but can he replicate his league exploits in France?
