No doubt the press will now pillory Rooney as the reason Engerlund lost, much as Beckham was ostracised for months after his temper-tantrum-red-card against the Argies all those years ago. It's a good maturity lesson for the less-than-mature Roonster.
Still, penalty shootouts always seem to be the most egregiously unfair way to 'win' a game.
I thought that medium-sized Hargreaves, little Lennon and big Crouch played really well (even if I still can't take the big man seriously - I like him, but he's just SO comical)
Lampard looked out of his depth in every match. Gerard was clearlty exhausted by the end today. It's a tough pill to swallow, but come on, we're used to it by now. I felt worse after the champs league final.
On that note, I think in these times it's good to get behind one of the remaining teams. I'm going to be cheering on the Arsenal contingent: Germany and France. Henry did well tonight, and Jens pulled it out last night; it's just a shame one has to go out next round.
One other thing: If they haven't sorted the diving issue by Euro 2008, I'm writing a strongly worded letter to FIFA.
I don't think we had a very good manager. He stifled the team and took away all their oomph. What oomph they had.
Still, at least he got his millions and a few rolls in the hay.
The only way forward for England is not to have a manager at all, and to play henceforward as a workers collective.
Quite seriously, I think a workers collective would've done a better job than Sven.
The only time when they really played half-decently during the competition was after Rooney had been sent off yesterday - the point that all Sven's brainless tactics got ditched and they just had to run around and do their best.
The sad thing is that we do have some good players, three or four of whom will be to old by the time the next World Cup comes around.
Not sure McLaren will be much better.
Give me the beat boys and free my soul! I wanna getta lost in ya rock n' roll and drift away. Drift away...