And there we have it. The Under-21 European Championship has come to a close with the unlikely - but very deserved - Sweden becoming the tenth winners of the competition. The competition has brought us 37 goals, 399 shots on goal, 4 red cards, another familiar England failure and a 47-minute hat-trick, not to mention a welcome football fix alongside the Copa America and FIFA Women's World Cup. The football was nicely executed with the majority of sides playing free-flowing, possession-based football that produced a refreshing, raw and fearless style. Sweden were the outsiders but demonstrated the importance of fitness, technique, teamwork and tactical knowledge. Manager Håkan Ericson moulded his side into a powerful stubborn collective that was impossible to break down. The players were outstandingly disciplined and more importantly bought into their manager's game-plan; they were briefed, educated and looked after by Ericson who stuck to his rigid philosophy perfectly. England should take note, falling at the first hurdle yet again and once more emulating a team who lacked an understanding, a game-plan and any sort of camaraderie. The competition marked another pitiful failure and one that cannot be fixed with "passion" and the "understanding of what it means to wear the shirt," but rather a tactically savvy coach who the players understand and respect. It's hard not to think the same paragraph could be written for the senior tournament in France next year. Anyway, lets claw ourselves out of the England self-pity hole and discuss the players who impressed over the last few weeks. The tournament is renowned for birthing previously unknown talented youngsters into the footballing world. The 2013 Under-21-European Championship's team of the year featured Spain's David de Gea, Koke, Isco and Alvaro Morata. Holland's Bruno Martins Indi and Adam Maher and Italy's Marco Verratti have also gone on to play at the very top level. This year the absence of La Roja opened up the field giving this gifted bunch a chance to shine. Here is WhatCulture Sport's top 10 players from the tournament... For all the latest Football News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureSport on Twitter and Facebook.
10. Jannik Vestergaard (Denmark)
The Werder Bremen defender captained Denmark throughout the competition and proved himself as a talented, mature centre-back as well as a natural leader. He signed for Die Werderaner in the January transfer window from Hoffenheim where he made 71 appearances for the Bundesliga side. The 22-year-old scored in his side's opening game of the tournament against Czech Republic and was a constant threat in the opposition box using his 6'6" tall frame to his advantage. Unfortunately for Vestergaard his side crashed out to a 4-1 defeat against Sweden in the semi-finals but his experience, composure and defensive skills will set him up for a successful time with the senior side of which he has already been called up. The player was reported to be a target for Everton this summer with his price tag rumoured to be around £7 million.