Who represented Borussia Dortmund at Euro 2020?
The Bundesliga had the second highest number of players (90) playing at Euro 2020, a thoroughly enjoyable tournament played all across Europe, which culminated in a second title for Italy.
Only Bayern Munich (14) had more players representing a German club than Borussia Dortmund (10).
Only five teams in Europe had more representatives than the Black and Yellows (Chelsea, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Dynamo Kyiv).
But how did those BVB players perform for their countries?
Jadon Sancho – England
Appearances (Sub): 3 (2)
"Hate will never win."
Jadon Sancho speaks out after England’s Euro 2020 final loss. pic.twitter.com/TQN9kRMvN4
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 14, 2021
In his first senior major international tournament, Sancho couldn’t quite translate his form at club level onto the international scene.
Despite a successful qualifying campaign, which saw the winger score his first England goals (against Kosovo), his manager Gareth Southgate only elected the 21-year-old to play 97 minutes of football.
90 of those came in his only start against Ukraine, in which he failed to make the desired impact, in order to propel himself above the likes of Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling in the pecking order.
Unfortunately the Manchester United-bound youngster missed a penalty in England’s shootout defeat to Italy in the final and received unfathomable racist abuse thereafter.
There is no room for such behaviour in football. Sancho is a star and hopefully he can recover from this unnecessary setback.
Jude Bellingham – England
Appearances: 3 (3)
Jude Bellingham became the youngest player ever to appear in a Euros quarter-final yesterday ⭐
He beat the record set by Pedri just one day earlier! 👏#NXGN #EURO2020 #ENG pic.twitter.com/VOGmaeKYA1
— GOAL (@goal) July 4, 2021
Although he had only earned four previous senior international caps and had only one season of top flight football under his belt, Jude Bellingham was also called up to the Three Lions squad ahead of the tournament this summer.
There the midfielder became the youngest player to ever feature at a European Championships at 17 years of age, only for that record to be broken by Poland’s Kacper Kozlowski against Spain in this same tournament.
The former Birmingham City man didn’t manage to start a match, but he had his plaudits when he did feature, and it’s a testament to his potential and current ability, that he’s debuted at such a major tournament at his age.
BVB certainly have a star on their hands.
Thomas Delaney – Denmark
Appearances: 6
Goals: 1
🇩🇰 Thomas Delaney = Star of the Match 🥇
🤔 Did you predict that?@Heineken | #EUROSOTM | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/0HuBxgwckO
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 3, 2021
A seasoned Danish international, this was Thomas Delaney’s first European Championships but second major tournament after the 2018 World Cup.
With 54 caps, the midfielder played a key role in his country’s qualification campaign and in their subsequent impressive run to the semi-finals this summer.
The 29-year-old opened the scoring in Denmark’s 2-1 quarter-final win over Czech Republic, before they lost to England in the semis at Wembley.
The Scandinavians came together and defied the odds after their legendary teammate Christian Eriksen suffered cardiac arrest in the group stage.
Shielding him from the needless cameras, Delaney helped contribute to one of Euro 2020’s feel-good stories, as Denmark won the hearts of the continent.
Manuel Akanji – Switzerland
Appearances: 5
Having played every minute of Switzerland’s World Cup and Nations League finals, Manuel Akanji came into Euro 2020 firmly a key player for his national team.
The defender took his caps tally up to 34, again playing every minute for the Swiss, even in two periods of extra time, as they delivered one of the tournament’s shock results, knocking out world champions France on penalties in the round of 16.
Their luck did run out in the quarter-finals, though, as Spain pipped them to a shootout victory.
Among Akanji’s teammates was Stuttgart goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, who is reportedly inbound at Signal Iduna Park.
Thorgan Hazard – Belgium
Appearances: 4
Goals: 2
Thorgan Hazard for Belgium at the 2020 Euros so far:
▪️ 100% dribble success
▪️ Most interceptions
▪️ Most tackles madeHe's even scored more goals than his brother. 😉 pic.twitter.com/yeouHiBFIk
— William Hill (@WilliamHill) July 1, 2021
In Russia, Thorgan Hazard was limited to just one start as Belgium reached the semi-finals, falling into the shadow of his older brother Eden.
But this summer Thorgan took his chance, making four starts on the Red Devils’ route to the last eight, where they lost to eventual champions Italy.
Closing in on 40 caps, Hazard netted an equaliser against Denmark in the group stage, before scoring the only goal as his side knocked out Portugal in the round of 16.
Axel Witsel – Belgium
Appearances: 4 (1)
Already a stalwart of the Belgian national team, Axel Witsel came into Euro 2020 with 110 caps for his country.
However, the midfielder had missed their previous six matches through an achilles injury, dating back to November 2020.
He would also miss their group opener against Russia with that same injury.
But when he returned, it was like he never left; the 32-year-old made Roberto Martinez’s side look a much stronger outfit upon his return.
Thomas Meunier – Belgium
Appearances: 5 (2)
Goals: 1
Assists: 2
Thomas Meunier 🅰️
Thorgan Hazard ⚽
A goal for #BEL that was made in the yellow and black of Dortmund. pic.twitter.com/NOvso2aiq6
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) June 27, 2021
A 47-time Belgium international, this was Meunier’s third major international tournament.
Sometimes ridiculed for the difference in his impact at international level to that at club level, the right-back didn’t help his case but certainly helped his country this summer.
The 29-year-old featured in every game for his country, starting off by both scoring and assisting in their opening 3-0 win over Russia, while he also set up Dortmund teammate Hazard for the winner against Portugal.
The Yellow Wall will be hoping for more of the same upon the former PSG man’s return to North Rhine-Westphalia.
Raphael Guerreiro – Portugal
Appearances: 4
Goals: 1
Raphaël Guerreiro created more chances than any other player in the first half of #POR vs. #BEL (2).
Borussia Dortmund players are lighting up this game so far. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/0ZeCpv4LO8
— Squawka (@Squawka) June 27, 2021
A 46-time Portugal international, Guerreiro played every minute of his country’s World Cup campaign in Russia, and all 120 of their Euro 2016 final triumph over France.
With the exciting Nuno Mendes now in the fore regarding the Selecão’s left-back role, seeing such football was uncertain this time around for the versatile full-back.
However, an injury to the teenager meant that the 27-year-old once again played every minute.
A goal against Hungary in Portugal’s opening game was certainly his highlight, as his nation ultimately fell to a disappointing exit, which did, in fact, see him strike the post against his Belgian BVB counterparts.
Mats Hummels – Germany
Appearances: 4
Assists: 1
At 32 years old, Mats Hummels came into the tournament as one of Germany’s most experienced options.
Not many fans expected the Borussia Dortmund legend to play a significant role for ‘die Mannschaft’ this summer, especially as he and Thomas Muller were returning to the national team for the first time since 2018.
However, he started every game for Joachim Löw’s side and was impressive; despite his own goal settling a defeat in the group opener to France, most will remember his last ditch tackle against England in the round of 16, where the Germans crashed out.
That tackle from Mats Hummels 😱
As good as a goal 👏#EURO2020 | #ENG #GER pic.twitter.com/UVfxs0QXcK
— GOAL (@goal) June 29, 2021
His future with the national team is now up in the air.
Emre Can – Germany
Appearances: 3
The midfielder played a bit-part role in Germany’s qualification campaign, and that was exactly the role he’d play in the tournament.
Can played just 33 minutes of football at the Euros, with Löw opting for Ilkay Gundogan, Toni Kroos and eventually Leon Goretzka instead.
Borussia Dortmund were well represented at Euro 2020. Certain players enjoyed more fruitful tournaments but overall, there were mostly positive things for the Black and Yellows representing their national teams.
The players will return to training in the coming weeks ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, with new boss Marco Rose ready to make his mark on the BVB squad.
