Griezmann named official man of the match
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Article summary
Antoine Griezmann has been named man of the match for his display in the UEFA Europa League final.
Article top media content
Article body
Antoine Griezmann has been named UEFA Europa League final man of the match by UEFA's technical observers.
Griezmann scored Atlético's first two goals in their 3-0 win against Marseille in Lyon – the first a low finish that deceived Steve Mandanda, the second a cute chip over the keeper. That takes the France striker's UEFA Europa League tally for the season to six.
"I've been working to experience a moment like this for many years," said the 27-year-old. "I left home when I was 14 wanting to win titles. After two losses [in the UEFA Champions League] I was determined to take the opportunity to win one. I didn't want to miss out."
Thomas Schaaf, representing their technical observer group, said: "In addition to his composed finishes for the opening goals, he showed quality in possession and an impressive work rate without the ball."
Previous man of the matches
2017 Ander Herrera (Man. United)
2016 Coke (Sevilla)
2015 Éver Banega (Sevilla)
2014 Ivan Rakitić (Sevilla)
2013 Branislav Ivanović (Chelsea)
2012 Radamel Falcao (Atlético Madrid)
2011 Radamel Falcao (Porto)
2010 Diego Forlán (Atlético Madrid)
2009 Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk)
2008 Andrey Arshavin (Zenit)
2007 Andrés Palop (Sevilla)
2006 Enzo Maresca (Sevilla)
2005 Daniel Carvalho (CSKA Moskva)
2004 Roberto Ayala (Valencia)
2003 Derlei (Porto)
2002 Jon Dahl Tomasson (Feyenoord)
2001 Gary McAllister (Liverpool)
2000 Cláudio Taffarel (Galatasaray)
1999 Hernán Crespo (Parma)
1998 Ronaldo (Internazionale Milano)