So, there you have it. England’s European Championships is over. Defeat at the quarter final stage via a penalty shoot out was probably a tad predictable once you think about it. When it comes to quarter final heartbreak we've all been there, done that, bought the t-shirt (about £50 in my case as it said ‘Parker’ on the back).
Strangely, the nation seems to be taking this exit in the final 8 better than it has in previous tournaments. So why is this? How have England really performed in Euro 2012? Have they met expectations? And how has this compared to tournaments past?
England’s elimination at the quarter final stage should logically suggest that England are amongst the top 8 teams in the competition. And I think that’s fair. On the basis of their 4 games this summer they deserved to get to the quarter finals but no further and that’s probably a fair reflection of where England are at the moment.
The tournament wasn’t a disaster. We didn’t embarrass ourselves. We beat the teams that we should be beating, i.e. Sweden and Ukraine. We got a draw with a French team who are probably at a similar level as us, before losing to the Italians who did look a class above. That being said it took a penalty shoot out for them to dispose of us.
Italy’s upcoming semi final against Germany may give us a better idea of how well we did. If the Italians, who outplayed us, get hammered by the impressive German outfit then we may rightly feel that we were quite a long way off of winning the Euro’s.
During the Italy game, Italy’s players looked comfortable. Composed on the ball, playing at their own pace. England on the other hand, more so than anything else, looked tired. A game spent chasing Italian shadows will have that effect on you. But this wasn’t just down to the ability of Italy, a big part of the problem was that when England were in possession they couldn’t keep it for long enough.
The Italian’s are a strong outfit, but they look even more formidable when you keep gifting them the ball. Our players looking exhausted has led to further calls for the FA to introduce a winter break, but we created our own problems by being clumsy in possession.
Why we seem so incapable of keeping possession compared to seemingly inferior teams remains a little bit of a mystery. The problems may stem from the way our players are brought up at youth level. When a 10 year old defender gets the ball he’s encouraged to do one thing and one thing only, clear it. When that 10 year old boy gets to 20 is it any wonder he’s not as technically gifted as the Spanish or the Germans when all he’s been taught is to ‘get rid’?
So, with our severe problems in possession considered, it could be argued that in terms of quality we haven’t improved much from our last tournament outings in 2006 and 2010. But where we have seen a drastic improvement is pure desire.
Under Roy Hodgson we look like a team, as opposed to a collection of talented individuals, all willing to put themselves on the line for the cause. As always, the England performances have been scrutinised heavily by the press and there are a few notable shortcomings. But, just this once, effort doesn’t seem to be one of them.
As a nation we had grown tired of lacklustre performances from lethargic looking players. This time around, we can at least say that every player gave everything he had. And to a certain extent that’s the most you can ask for. Despite the initial disappointment there are genuine positives to look back on.
Scott Parker and Steven Gerrard were impressive in midfield. Danny Wellbeck and Andy Carroll came up with goals when we needed them against Sweden. Joe Hart, Ashley Cole and John Terry were as solid as expected.
And in truth hardly any of the players disappointed, there was a contribution from almost everybody, even Wayne Rooney. He has come in for some severe criticism for his performance in his two appearances this summer, but he still ended an 8 year scoring drought at major tournaments. The argument remains that he is much more effective for his club (who isn’t?), but he still has the potential to be a match winner in any game he plays.
England have met expectations during Euro 2012. We weren’t expected to win it. We weren’t expected to match the likes of Spain and Germany in terms of quality, and we haven’t. But we have won a group that we probably would have been second favourites for.
We’ve also demonstrated the fighting characteristics that have been sorely lacking in past campaigns. And, despite being second best for much of the quarter final, a penalty shoot out is an unfortunate way for any team to get knocked out of a tournament.
Ashleys Cole and Young join the likes of Stuart Pearce, David Beckham and David Batty on the England shoot out wall of shame. Unfortunately for us (or perhaps fortunately- Ed.), there may not be a humorous Pizza Hut advert waiting for them as there was for Gareth Southgate in 1996.
We can now however look forward to World Cup qualifying with pride in our team restored, within reason. The nation will look on with interest as the likes of Kyle Walker, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Chris Smalling, Danny Wellbeck and others develop over the coming years. By the time the summer of 2014 comes around they could be ready to take the World Cup by storm.
Or they could be ready to be respectfully knocked out at the quarter final stages on penalties. As long as they give their best the fans and the press alike should be more than satisfied. Gone then are the days of blind optimism........actually, forget that. It’s not as exciting.
WE’RE GONNA WIN THE WORLD CUP!!!!!!!