Goofle

Of course, England could have rode their luck and won the whole thing, they have a good enough goalkeeper and center backs to make that happen. Still, completely average team that looks schoolboy compared to every team left in the tournament.

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Unknown Soldier

Well better footballing sides like Croatia, Russia and Holland didn't get out of the first round, so I think England have done well. I imagine the press will give them hell tomorrow, despite writing them off long before the tournament.

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Metal Wars

Power Metal

Pounding Decibels- A Hard and Heavy History

Goofle

I doubt it. I think this game might be a wake-up call that England fans have needed.

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Urban Hat€monger ?

Why?

Most predictions I saw said they'd go out in the Quarter Finals.

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Mojo

We were clearly second best overall and in extra time we were simply tired and holding on for penalties, under constant pressure. In the 90 minutes however I think it was anyones. We started well and finished well but Italy probably edged it in between. I think we played well but as well as we played, Italy should have taken one of their chances.

Still, I thought our performance throughout this tournament was encouraging. France didnt look class against us and neither did Italy. I cannot see Italy getting past the Germans.

I'm really hoping they havent been crucified in the press today. I havent checked yet this morning. They really do not deserve that. Some people seem to feel the way I do, some people are as negative as ever. I personally feel proud in the English representation in this tournament and I can't wait for them to get their teeth into the World Cup qualifiers.

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Vertigo

The result last night was without a doubt deserved, it should never have gone beyond the 90. England never learned their lessons - Pirlo unmarked for virtually the whole game, Ballotelli continuously played onside, unable to string three or four passes together. I'm surprised it went the distance.

It's probably fortunate that England were knocked out last night - I hate to think what would have happened against Germany.

Worst player of the tournament, by far, was Ashley Young.

Unknown Soldier

Why should this be a wake up call? England have always played like this ever since I've been watching them since the 1980s. They've only ever gone further than the quarters on two occasions in WC 1990 and EC 1996! On both these occasions they had far superior players as well, all in all the team have done well to reach the quarters with the talent they had at their disposal.

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Metal Wars

Power Metal

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Flyingpig437

Surprised Ashley Cole took such a **** penalty. He's done it in big games several times before. Ashley Young should have been taken off instead of Milner. Hodgson should get a load of **** for keeping him on. I'm presuming it was more about getting Walcott on than taking Milner off but he should have left Milner on 'cause he was pretty much doing our best work going forward. They didn't deserve to win and in a way I'm glad 'cause it's been making me puke listening to people, esp. the players themselves, coming out with all kinds of **** about how they believe they're good enough to beat Italy and even win it. They'll never get real about just what a lame team they are and how for some reason otherwise good players just can't get it together when playing for England.

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Proper music for proper people!!!

Flyingpig437

They've had a few of them already yet what happens when the scrape through the group stages of a major tournament? They and the media, well the media I see which is just the bbc, start talking about 'growing confidence' and 'self belife' which is just pure bull**** based on massively unjustifiable arrogance and wish fulfilment.

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Proper music for proper people!!!

Mojo

^^ So what would you suggest England do for future tournaments then? Would you suggest they approach tournaments with a negative attitude? Wouldn't this just give you more ammunition to criticise them? Our national teams main criticism seems to be a perceived lack of heart and passion but even when we get stuck in and show some commitment we still criticise them, seemingly because they didnt go on to win the whole thing.

Also it's worth keeping in mind that in 120 minutes of football Italy werent good enough to beat us. You can analyse the performance but that is a fact. Any talk from the England camp about how they had the ability to play Italy and win was justified, in my opinion. They only got the job done on spot kicks.

He had a poor tournament for sure. Thats quite a bold statement though. The Greek central defenders are probably still dizzy from running around in circles and there were a number of players I was looking forward to watching who produced very little such as Affelay and Kerzhakov. John O' Shea was so far out of his depth it was unreal. Robin Van Persie had such a poor tournament given how incredible a domestic season he has had. As far as English players go, James Milner was utilised down the right hand side a lot and was seriously lacking in a final ball, I lost count of how many of his crosses were played a long the ground and/or failed to beat the first man. To say that Ashley Young was the poorest player of the entire tournament really is arguable, in my opinion.

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