The reason this is so disappointing, time and time again, is the feeling of injustice that comes with every England defeat in major tournaments. While this has by no means been a magnificent tournament for us, the team are never really outplayed in the game that they actually lose.

And what is it about the English mentality? I've never really understood the concept of "Englishness", but today I figured it all out; we're too old-fashioned; too much self-respect; too honest. Football, on an international level, has moved into a game full of deceit and on-pitch drama--diving unnecessarily, calling for other players to be booked, etc. The only time I've seen an English player do this in the World Cup this year was Owen Hargreaves, who of course plays in the Bundesliga. On a side note, Hargreaves won me over in the last two games, with an undying fitness level and dogged run after every loose ball 'til the final whistle. If anything, he's more of a big game player than Frank Lampard, who can't seem to cut the mustard for England the way he can for Chelsea; I ruefully remember the days of Scholes and Gerrard, not Lampard and Gerrard.

Anyway, another exit on penalties. Now I want Germany to win the tournament.