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BALE OUT

Wales talisman Gareth Bale snubbed as Euro 2016 semi-finalists get two players in Uefa team of the tournament

GARETH BALE was a shock absentee but two of Wales' heroes made the official Uefa team of Euro 2016.

The Welshman was also snubbed by Opta in their stats-driven selection despite his three goals helping inspire the Dragons into the semi-finals.

Gareth Bale has emerged as one of Wales greatest ever players
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Gareth Bale has confirmed status as one of Wales greatest ever players

Wales talisman had three goals in group stages
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Wales talisman had three goals in group stagesCredit: Getty Images
Chris Colemans squad were given a heroes welcome in Cardiff
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Chris Coleman's squad were given a heroes' welcome in CardiffCredit: Reuters

But Joe Allen and midfield lynchpin Aaron Ramsey - who was a huge absence in the defeat against Portugal - god a nod.

Arsenal star Rambo worked tirelessly throughout the tournament and also showed touches of brilliance.

His cheeky dinked finish set Wales on their way against Russia, while he also provided the ball for Hal Robson-Kanu's goal of the tournament.

Allen, meanwhile, was hailed for his disciplined performances midfield which gave the Dragons a defensive platform to build from.

Unsurprisingly, no England players made the cut after a limp last-16 exit against Iceland.

Team-line-up-landscape
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Aaron Ramseys four assists and a goal earned him a spot
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Aaron Ramsey's four assists and a goal earned him a spotCredit: PA:Press Association
Arsenal star Rambos suspension for the semi-final was a huge blow
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Arsenal star Rambo's suspension for the semi-final was a huge blowCredit: PA:Press Association
Joe Allen put in a series of remarkable shifts in midfield
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Joe Allen put in a series of remarkable shifts in midfieldCredit: EPA

Winners Portugal had four inclusions - Rui Patricio, Raphel Guerreiro, Pepe and, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Germany came next with three players in the XI - Joshua Kimmich, Jerome Boateng and Toni Kroos.

And hosts France completed the team with West Ham Dimitri Payet joining golden boot winner Antoine Griezmann.

The decisions were made by a 13-strong panel which included former Manchester United bosses Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes as well as Gareth Southgate, who recently ruled himself out of taking the England job.

Ferguson said: "After quite a bit of deliberation, the observers chose a team that features the best performing players from the best performing teams at UEFA EURO 2016.

"We have chosen dominant central defenders, full-backs who can defend and attack, deep-lying midfielders who can control the game and dynamic, flexible and creative attackers, all of whom have the ability to create and score goals.

"We believe that the selected XI represents the best of the competition."

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