Last Updated: 25th June 2012
SKIPPER Steven Gerrard last night insisted England go home heartbroken — but with their heads held high.
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England lost 4-2 on penalties to Italy after a goalless 120 minutes and it was the two Ashleys, Young and Cole, who fluffed their kicks in the shootout.
Gerrard was happy with the team’s Euro display but said: “It still doesn’t help the heartbreak. I just feel for the players who, since day one when we met up, have given absolutely everything.
“I thought this time in a penalty shootout we might have had that bit of luck you need but it wasn’t to be.
“When you get your nose in front you pray you can see it out but, credit to Italy, they are a fantastic team and they got a bit of luck in the shootout.
“The lads at the back were fantastic tonight. We’ve done the country proud but, again, go home with heartbreak and it’s tough to take.”
Theo Walcott is convinced that the penalty bunglers will emerge as stronger players.
Manchester United winger Young hit the bar and Chelsea left-back Cole saw his weak shot saved by Gianluigi Buffon as England suffered after another quarter-final failure.
Arsenal flyer Walcott, who entered the fray on 61 minutes, said: “It’s a very cruel way to go out in any competition but someone was going to go out tonight.
“Luck did not go our way and maybe we had some luck in previous games.
“I feel for every single player. It is not one of those scenarios you want to be involved in when you are on a losing side. I feel it as I am on the losing side. It is a sad way.
“The two Ashleys are strong enough lads to come back from this and the lads will be with them. They are two of the most experienced players in that dressing room and will bounce back as better players. I do not worry about that at all.
“From the next tournament we will be better, they will be stronger.”
Walcott acknowledged that Cesare Prandelli’s Italy were the better team, both in normal and extra time.
The 23-year-old added: “You have got to give credit to the Italians as they did their jobs. We didn’t create too many chances but they knew how to play against us.
“We have got to look forward to the future because it is going to be bright, I’m sure of it.
“We have got to look forward to the World Cup qualifiers, which will be tough. We need a break because we’ve a hard season ahead.
“We have to learn some lessons from tonight as that is important for the young players — me being one of them.
“These sort of occasions you do not want anyone to be involved in. The players, the supporters, friends and family.
“It is a bitter, cruel way but, like I say, that is the way it goes.
“I don’t know how to answer why we cannot win penalty shootouts. It can go either way, anyone can win.
“Penalties are always down to luck, they are a lottery. It is just the way it goes in football.
“You can practise and practise them as much as you want but when it comes to the occasion, the big stage, it is always difficult. I hate watching it when I am back at home.”
England and Manchester City No 1 Joe Hart, who failed to save a single penalty, said: “I’m an emotional guy, I’ve put everything into these last couple of weeks. I’m gutted for the people back home.
“I went in confident we would win the game. I was required to step up but didn’t make the saves.
“They were superior in regards to chances but we were very resolute and gave everything when defending.
“I face penalties against Mario Balotelli on the training ground and I felt confident but he took a good penalty. Of course I expect to make saves, I feel like no one can beat me.
“I’ll take away the great way we qualified. We’ve lost at the end of the day but I don’t think anyone has let the country down and we have adapted well to the manager.”
United striker Wayne Rooney, who had a disappointing game but slotted his penalty, said: “It was a horrible way to go out. We are all gutted.
“It was a tough game but we all worked hard and to lose on pens is a horrible feeling for everyone.
“Still, we can hold our heads up high. There are a lot of youngsters in the squad and that will help them in the next finals.”
Rooney’s club-mate and fellow striker Danny Welbeck was equally crestfallen, adding: “In training we’ve been sticking penalties away but, tonight, unfortunately it wasn’t to be.
“It’s very hard to take and people aren’t in the best of moods in the dressing room but we have to evaluate what has happened for the future.
“The experience is invaluable coming to a major tournament. It was something I’ve been working so hard for since I was a little kid. We couldn’t go off ifs and buts, you have got to make stuff happen on the pitch.
“We’ve got to evaluate where we went wrong and the manager will do that. I just think Italy showed their quality in the end.”
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