England's Euro Campaign - An Overview

After the Three Lions topped their Euro 2012 group, many England fans were greatly looking forward to their quarter final match up against Italy. Things looked promising under the new leadership of Roy Hodgson, and following a draw with tough opponents France and two wins against Sweden and the co-hosts Ukraine, confidence was high in the England camp as well as back home.

Goals from Joleon Lescott in the first game and Andy Carroll, Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck in the second, the stage was set for the return of Wayne Rooney who had been suspended for the start of England's Euro campaign after a red card in England's 2-2 draw with Montenegro in their last Euro 2012 qualifying match.

England approached the final group game against Ukraine knowing that topping the group was the optimal option, as finishing second would have left them with an almost impossible task of defeating the reigning world and European champions Spain. England needed the already eliminated Sweden to steal at least a point from France, otherwise France would finish at the summit of group D.

England manager Roy Hodgson instantly re-instated Wayne Rooney after a two-match suspension in place of Andy Carroll with orders to make a overdue mark on the campaign after being suspended for the draw against France and victory against Sweden. After missing the best chance of the half, a back post header from Ashley Young's cross, Rooney came up with the goal that would see England finish at the top of group D and set up a quarter final meeting with Italy after Sweden's surprise 2-0 victory over France, leaving them to finish runners up and having to face Spain in Donetsk.

Anticipation ahead of England's tie with Italy was at its maximum across England. However, England suffered penalty heartbreak at Euro 2012 after losing 4-2 on penalties to Italy after being outplayed in the quarter-final in Kiev.

Italy dominated for huge periods of the contest, but were unable to make the breakthrough as England retreated further and further into their shell. Under the leadership of their talisman Andrea Pirlo, Italy had 70% of the game's possession, allowing wave after wave of attack to hit the resilient English back line. And when the match statistics also inform us that England only had a pitiful 9 shots to Italy's 36, many England fans will be asking themselves how England did not lose in regular time.

The curtain came down on England's Euro 2012 dream when Alessandro Diamanti walked forward for the final, decisive kick and, when it was all done, Italy had booked a semi-final against Germany while England were wallowing in the familiar sense of deja vu that comes with yet another penalty loss for the valiant Three Lions.

England had played with vigour and togetherness and all the other qualities that are associated with England teams. It is just that sometimes it is not enough to be organised and committed. Penalty shoot-outs need composure and the ability to withstand high pressure situations, and Andrea Pirlo's penalty clearly displayed that Italy just had more of that than Hodgson's England side.

Unlike many of England's defeats in big tournaments, this one has not been greeted with the usual criticism and negativity that the others have. Roy Hodgson has heaped praise onto his England side, and this praise was reciprocated by many journalists and critics across the country.

Looking at the future of English football, this tournament could serve to be an important stepping stone towards the next World Cup in Rio de Janeiro and the current batch of players who could be present there could not be better prepared. England will have a group of young players with big stage experience but without the haunting of failure and disappointment that has been associated with the so called golden generation for a decade.

Far from being the death of English football, I see the passing of players such as Beckham, Terry, and Lampard will prove to be the catalyst for future success. They have been valiant servants of the English national side for a number of years now, and I believe that it is time to whole heartedly thank them for what they have done, and say our farewells. As England fans, I think that we have a bright future ahead of us, especially when looking at the talent of such players as Danny Welbeck, Jack Wilshere and Phil Jones to name a few.

Euro 2012 may have not been England's tournament, but if they qualify for the 2014 World cup, it should be a much more successful tournament for the Three Lions.