James Milner called on his England team-mates to use their Euro 2012 heartache to spur them onto World Cup qualification for Brazil in two years.
The midfielder believes there are lessons to be learned from the defeat
James Milner called on his England team-mates to use their Euro 2012 heartache to spur them onto World Cup qualification for Brazil in two years.
The Three Lions were dumped out of the competition at the quarter final stage on penalties after a tense 0-0 draw with Italy on Sunday.
Ashley Young and Ashley Cole both failed from the spot to leave former West Ham forward Alessandro Diamanti as the man to step up and send Italy into a semi-final date with Germany on Thursday.
But the Manchester City midfielder wants to use the experience to help guide them through a tough six-team qualification group that also includes Ukraine and Poland.
"I can't really put it into words," said Milner told
Sky Sports.
"We had a good group stage and came to the quarters, but to go out on penalties again you can't put into words how disappointing it is.
Positives
"We practised penalties and we needed a bit of luck. We got ahead in it but it was just not our night. You would have thought that perhaps we were due one at some point, but it just was not to be.
"We have got to take the positives from the tournament and the experience. There are a lot of lads who have come into the squad and is their first tournament and it is good experience and hopefully they can take that into the next tournament.
"We will rest now and then we have got one more friendly before the season starts and then the qualifying starts for the World Cup so that is the next aim."
Their exit at the quarter final stage exceeded the expectations of many as preparations for the tournament were disrupted by the exit of manager Fabio Capello in February.
New boss Roy Hodgson had just weeks to set to his team for this tournament and Milner reckons the former Liverpool and West Brom manager should take plenty of credit for the way the team played.
"We don't want to make excuses and we still don't. The manager changes and done a great job," added Milner. "The lads have enjoyed working with him at this tournament and hopefully there is a lot more tournaments to come."
