In the final instalment of our series focusing on the Premier League contingent at Euro 2008, we bring you the best of the tournament.

Over the past three weeks, we have brought you game-by-game updates of how those players most known to us have fared in Austria and Switzerland.

Performances from those based in the English top flight have ranged between the good and the bad, with some plain ugly ones in between for good measure.

Here we bring you a round-up of the 20 best performers who will soon be returning to their clubs on these shores.

And of course how can we forget the worst? The biggest disappointments of the tournament, unsurprising including a number of fatigued Chelsea players, make an appearance at the bottom of the list.

HITS

1. Fernando Torres (Spain and Liverpool) - The Anfield hitman formed the most potent striking partnership of the tournament with David Villa and his two goals, including one of the most important he will ever score, went a long way to help end 44 years of Spanish anguish.

2. Cesc Fabregas (Spain and Arsenal) - Fabregas only started two of Spain's six matches - including the final - but saw action in the other four as a substitute, proving his status as one of the best midfielders in the world with a series of accomplished performances whenever he was brought on.

3. Michael Ballack (Germany and Chelsea) - One of few German players who deserved to get as far as the final, Ballack unfortunately lacked further quality around him to make a bigger impression on the tournament.

4. Dirk Kuyt (Holland and Liverpool) - Kuyt doesn't do spectacular, but there is no doubt the boy can run - his willingness to work hard on the Dutch right proved to be the perfect compliment to more creative players in the Oranje side and he played a major role in Holland's scintillating start to the tournament.

5. Luka Modric (Croatia and Tottenham Hotspur) - New Spurs signing Modric started the tournament strongly, netting a decisive penalty in the Croats' opener, and went on to draw further plaudits as the competition progressed.

6. Edwin van der Sar (Holland and Manchester United) - He may be 37, but Van der Sar is still a top class goalkeeper who is more than capable of holding his own at the highest level. Against Italy, one of his saves turned defence into attack with devastating effect.

7. Jose Bosingwa (Portugal and Chelsea) - The second of two Premier League new boys in our list, the Blues' latest recruit must have impressed his new employers with several attack-minded performances at right-back as Portugal reached the quarter-finals.

8. Jens Lehmann (Germany and Stuttgart) - The Stuttgart-bound keeper's Arsenal career may be over, but a number of top-drawer saves over the past three weeks, including a splendid reaction stop in the final, proved he is far from his sell-by-date.

9. Andre Ooijer (Holland and Blackburn Rovers) - He may not be the most accomplished defender, but the rarely-heralded Ooijer has to be included on this list for playing a part in a defence that conceded just one goal during the group stage before ultimately capitulating to an Andrei Arshavin-inspired Russia in the quarter-final.

10. Robin van Persie (Holland and Arsenal) - Coming off the bench, Van Persie proved a real goal threat as Holland picked off their opponents with some thrilling attack-minded football in the group stage. Trailed off in the quarters.

11. Ricardo Carvalho (Portugal and Chelsea) - The Portugal stopper produced a number of typically-assured displays at the back during the group stage, but was unable to instil composure in his team-mates in the quarter-final defeat to Germany.

12. Andreas Isaksson (Sweden and Manchester City) - The City keeper may not be able to get a game for neither love nor money at Eastlands, but he is still his country's number one and was Sweden's most consistent player, putting in a standout performance in their defeat to eventual winners Spain.

13. Vedran Corluka (Croatia and Manchester City) - The right-back suffered a few wobbly moments, not least in the Croats' opening game against Austria, but was part of a defence that conceded just two goals on their way to the quarter-finals.

14. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal and Manchester United) - The hype surrounding him heading into the tournament was huge, but that Ronaldo will be more remembered in Austria and Switzerland for the saga surrounding his future rather than for his performances on the pitch speaks volumes.

15. Tuncay Sanli (Turkey and Middlesbrough) - A wobbly start gave way to some more assured displays, although his tournament came to a premature end as suspension ruled him out of the unfancied Turks' semi-final clash with Germany.

16. Patrice Evra (France and Manchester United) - With France so awful, Evra is classed as the least bad of a very poor bunch. He rarely had a chance to make his trademark forays forward but it is still a mystery why Raymond Domenech prefers Eric Abidal in the side.

17.Emanuel Pogatetz (Austria and Middlesbrough) - The man they call Mad Dog on Teesside was as combative as ever and only really overstepped the mark once - during the Croatia game when he was lucky to stay on the pitch.

18. Gelson Fernandes (Switzerland and Manchester City) - His side made an early exit from the tournament, but Fernandes was arguably their best player after producing several industrious displays, though his passing at times could have been more polished.

19. Frederik Ljungberg (Sweden and West Ham) - Not the same Ljungberg whose wing play thrilled Arsenal fans for many years, but the West Ham man nevertheless looked comfortable in his captain's role for Sweden and nearly got on the scoresheet against Russia.

20. Nani (Portugal and Manchester United) - Although not a starter in the Portuguese side, the tricky winger managed to make some impact when called on.

FLOPS (in no particular order)

Paulo Ferreira (Portugal and Chelsea) - The Chelsea defender started the tournament competently enough, but his game fell apart in Portugal's final group game and that uncertainly continued to undermine his performance in the quarter-final.

Philippe Senderos (Switzerland and Arsenal) - The mental scars of a difficult season with the Gunners were still there for all to see.

Petr Cech (Czech Republic and Chelsea) - 'The best goalkeeper in the world' made an untimely howler against Turkey in the Czechs' final group game to cap a miserable personal season.

Niko Kranjcar (Croatia and Portsmouth) - A star performer in the Premier League, the Pompey attacking midfielder looked out of place in an impressive Croatia side.

Any one of the France contingent - Evra aside, the Gallic representatives of the Premier League flopped - badly. Nicolas Anelka, Claude Makelele, Florent Malouda and William Gallas did little to justify their inclusions in the French side.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport