THURSDAY night’s semi-final victory for Italy effectively marked the end of Euro 2012 for me.

By the time the final arrives tomorrow evening I’ll be knee deep in mud at Heaton Park, sipping overpriced cider and trying in vain to re-live my youth with thousands of other thirty-somethings.

I may get to watch the football, I hope I do, but at £55 a ticket I’ll probably be paying more attention to the music.

But in the spirit of all things Stone Roses I thought I’d hand out a few fun awards after watching events unfold over the last three weeks from the comfort of my front room.

Second Coming – Award for best career revamp at Euro 2012. Winner: Andrea Pirlo.

Cast aside by Milan, the Italian playmaker revived his career with Juventus and is in serious contention to be the player of the tournament. He’ll surely win the accolade with a good performance in the final.

Fool’s Gold – Award for team that promised much, but delivered nothing. Winner: Holland.

Many people’s pick for the trophy but the men in orange again showed that propensity to implode at major tournaments. Robin van Persie’s wayward finishing in the group stages, however out of character. certainly didn’t help.

I Wanna be Adored – Award for tournament’s most iconic character. Winner: Mario Balotelli.

We all wondered how the Manchester City striker’s temperament would hold up under the intense pressure of a major tournament, but few of us predicted he’d come out of Euro 2012 smelling of roses. Three superb goals so far, and the threat of more against Spain in the final.

Shoot You Down – Award for the player who did his reputation no good in Poland and Ukraine. Winner: Wayne Rooney.

Whether he should have been in Roy Hodgson’s squad or not is a matter of much debate but the United striker just didn’t look fit when he finally entered the reckoning against Ukraine. Should have made a difference against the Italians but looked too ring rusty to make a dent.