Soccer: Misery and rage as England lose on penalties again

1.00pm

LONDON - England fans stumbled into the streets in disbelief, misery and rage today after their team were eliminated from the European championship after a quarterfinal loss to Portugal.

The loss to Portugal after a shootout -- the fourth time England have lost on penalties in a major tournament in 14 years -- brought on a grim sense of deja vu.

"The gods are always, always against England in the big tournaments," said mechanic Dave Johnson, 31, shaking his head in disbelief as he trooped home from The Gooners pub in London.

The pub had been so packed that people were crowded on the street watching the game through windows.

It cleared out minutes after Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo placed his spot kick past England's David James to win the game 6-5 on penalties after the two sides had ended extra time locked at 2-2.

"It's absolutely unbelievable. History is repeating itself. When will the luck ever go with us?" Johnson said.

"This is beginning to scar me emotionally."

Judy Davies, standing on her front patio, her face still painted red and white with England's cross of St George, said luck had nothing to do with it.

Referee Urs Meier disallowed a Sol Campbell-headed "goal" in the last seconds of ordinary time and Davies was incapable of discussing the incident without sounding unhinged.

"That referee is supposed to be the best in the world. Well, he'd better never set foot in England. I'll lynch him with my own bare hands," she said.

Others said the team themselves were partly to blame, looking lacklustre after teenage phenomenon Wayne Rooney was forced from the field with a foot injury midway through the first half.

"In the cold light of day, we'll have to accept that Portugal looked the better side on the night," Andrew Parkin, 32, said.

"They had more possession and they were more dangerous. After Rooney went off we seemed to lose our organisation and dominance."

If any England player was going to be blamed it was probably captain David Beckham, who blazed the first penalty over the bar.

"Beckham was a pale shadow of his best. The press are going to crucify him, especially for that missed penalty," Parkin said.

England's 4-2 victory over Croatia earlier this week was the most watched sporting event in British history.

All the signs were that today's match would beat that record.

The country came to a complete standstill during the match. Motorways and city streets were empty of traffic.

Huge screens were set up in all major cities but the atmosphere deflated instantly and crowds quickly dispersed after the shootout.

England's shock loss to France earlier in the tournament triggered running battles between police and fans.

An hour after the match London's police force, Scotland Yard, said there were no reports of major disturbances.

Everyone was far too depressed.

- REUTERS

Euro 2004 draw