The headline for this column last week read “Let’s hope Three Lions v Azzurri showdown doesn’t go to penalties” — and we all know what happened.
There was a certain inevitability about the outcome at Wembley last Sunday night which only England fans can explain between sighs.
The tension was overwhelming as the players nervously lined up on the halfway line, waiting to be summoned by the referee for one of the most frightening things a professional footballer can experience — taking a penalty in the final shoot-out of an international tournament.
The fear of failure is immense. Legs turn to jelly.
It has been hard for England supporters to take but now the dust has settled along with the emotions, most would reluctantly concede that Italy deserved the win on the night.
England had frankly exceeded expectations by reaching the final and manager Gareth Southgate and the players should be applauded for their efforts.
But of course there remains the inevitable frustration of just missing out as reflected in the Guardian headline “So Close”.
The Times weighed in with “Penalty Curse Denies England Their Dream.”
The English press which can be quite cruel when things go wrong, were generally supportive of the team’s efforts.
The Daily Express was probably reflecting most people’s thoughts with the headline “It hurts… but we’re so proud of you” while the Sun purred “Pride of Lions”.
Of course in Italy the reaction was of a somewhat different nature, ranging from “We conquered Wembley” to “Italy you’re the Queen.”
It was a terrific achievement by Italy coach Roberto Mancini and his team which remain undefeated for an astonishing 34 games.
When Mancini took over, the Italians were in dire straits, having failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, the first time since 1958.
Like most Italian sides, Mancini has relied on a strong defence, but importantly he also made them more creative so the team also became an effective attacking force.
For England, something that is far more disturbing than their defeat was the sickening racial abuse on Facebook and Twitter aimed at black stars, primarily Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Jodan Sancho and Raheem Sterling.
A disgusted Southgate called it “unforgiveable.”
It is a social problem in England that goes beyond football and something the government has struggled to deal with.
In a moving tweet, Rashford opened up about his feelings.
Saying he could handle criticism of his performance, he concluded “… but I will never apologise for who I am or where I came from. I’ve felt no prouder moment than seeing those Three Lions on my chest, and see my family cheer me on in a crowd of tens of thousands.”
Sancho apologised to fans for missing his penalty, saying “this is by far the worst feeling I’ve experienced in my career.”
England also came under heavy fire in the European press both for the social media racism and the disturbing scenes around Wembley before the game when hundreds of fans without tickets stormed the stadium barriers in an ugly battle with police and stewards.
The FA’s Mark Bullingham termed them “drunken yobs.”
The incidents have prompted a Uefa investigation and England will likely face disciplinary action.
They have already been fined for a fan stupidly trying to distract Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel with a laser pen.
The ignorant booing of national anthems also did not go down well throughout Europe.
The French daily Liberation asked: “Where have the much-vaunted English qualities of fair play, respect and decency gone?”
The Italian paper La Stampa observed: “England has not learned how to react to defeat.”
The Swiss tabloid Blick also took issue with England commenting: “The Three Lions have to wave goodbye to a lot of respect from the rest of Europe.”
The morning after the final an anguished Southgate admitted he felt like his “stomach had been ripped out,’’ and his feelings are understandable.
He has worked so hard with the players, often facing fierce criticism about team selection.
The exhausted manager said: “You know these opportunities are so rare…you have given everything and the energy is low, the emotions are drained.”
Southgate does not have to apologise to anyone. He has won deserved respect for both results and his demeanour.
He is a level-headed person and the first to put a comforting arm around a player if he feels it necessary.
Southgate has an impressive record with England — a semi-final in the 2018 World Cup and now a Euro final.
That’s not too shabby.