Goalkeepers win championships, and these five stand above the rest. From proven legends to rising stars, this list highlights the netminders capable of deciding matches on their own when the pressure is highest.
Emil Nielsen (Denmark)
Photo: Ludvig Thunman / BILDBYRÅN
He is the world’s best goalkeeper, Nielsen. That is still the case. And the Barcelona goalkeeper will most likely be the best goalkeeper at the European Championship as well, as so many times before. He has no weaknesses, which makes his place on this list absolutely unquestionable.
Andreas Wolff (Germany)
Kiel have not exactly set the world alight during the autumn, and even for The Big Bad Wolff there have been ups and downs. He may not be on this list because of outstanding consistency, but rather because of his peak level. Few goalkeepers in the world have the ability to intimidate shooters the way Wolff does.
Sergey Hernandez (Spain)
Photo: Ludvig Thunman / BILDBYRÅN
Perhaps the goalkeeper who has been the very best for his club during the autumn and winter. Hernandez almost never finishes a match with fewer than ten saves and is often between 15 and 20 saves, game after game. He will be capable of winning matches for Spain as well, especially now that he (surely?) becomes the undisputed first choice.
Dominik Kuzmanovic (Croatia)
Photo: Jon Olav Nesvold / BILDBYRÅN
The youngest and most exciting goalkeeper on this list. Rumoured to be on his way to Magdeburg next season, and it is easy to understand why considering what Kuzmanovic is delivering and has delivered for Gummersbach. An extremely interesting goalkeeper who was perhaps Croatia’s best and most consistent player during last year’s sensational World Championship silver medal run.
Dejan Milosavljev (Serbia)
Foto: Avdo Bilkanovic / BILDBYRÅN
He is not the most consistent. He is not always the one who looks the most motivated. But when Dejan Milosavljev plays at his highest level, very few can match him. Serbia’s most important player, Milosavljev – who will leave Berlin for Kielce after the season – needs to be at his very best if Serbia are to avoid an early exit from the tournament.