England U-21s conceded an 87th minute equalising goal and a 94th minute winner in their final group match at the European Championships, and the resulting 2-1 loss to the Czech Republic meant that Stuart Pearce's side failed to qualify for the latter stages of the bi-annual tournament.
Following successive draws with Spain and Ukraine, England were left knowing that only a win over the Czech Republic would see them progress in the competition. Everton teenager Jack Rodwell was named on the bench for the crunch match in Viborg, Denmark.
England were slightly the better team in the opening period but failed to break the deadlock, and knew that a draw would not be enough to send them through.
With quarter of an hour remaining Danny Welbeck's headed effort put the young Lions a goal to the good, and it seemed as though England would scrape through to the semi-finals and not be made to pay for their below-par showing in the group matches.
The Czechs, however, had other ideas. First they equalised on 87 minutes through Jan Chramosta and then, whilst England were attacking in droves, striker Tomas Pekhart added a second four minutes into injury time. Czech-mate.
It was a disappointing exit from the competition but overall one cannot argue that, over the three games, it was not deserved. It has made a mockery of the obscene transfer fees that certain members of our squad have commanded and, more generally, of the whole mindset of the English coaching system. It has been depressing to watch at times and we must learn that strength and power alone will not win you a major tournament like it may have done in the past.
Anyway, rant over. There are more important things in life - like Everton.
In the other game in Group B, Spain beat Ukraine by 3 goals to 0 to finish top of the group. The final group tables read:
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