England
went into these European Championships with expectations at an all time low. A
managerial change, stories of divisions amongst the players and controversy in
squad selection culminated in England
kicking off their first group game against France with few expecting them to
qualify for the knockout stages. As the tournament progressed and England
ground out results with resolute defending and counter attacking football, the
constant harping about low expectations and little pressure ironically saw the
expectations of the country tentatively lift until many believed England could
overwhelm Italy and overcome the curse of the quarter final that has plagued
them since 1996.
As a country however, we diluted our own failings as a team
and overestimated the few strengths we had. We threw caution to the wind in a
way only expectant England
fans can, and dismissed the Italians as an ageing group of players lacking
creativity, typical defensive solidity and a predatory strike force. However
for 120 minutes in Kiev,
none of this mattered. England
were knocked out of Euro 2012 by the majesty of Andrea Pirlo and the ‘lottery’
of the penalty shootout.
