english soccer is still adamant on changing it's tactics. The long ball, the ultra aggressive play and the shear physical presence doesn't cut it anymore. to win the big games today, the team needs more than that. Managing the game and changing tactics as the game evolves, during is the future of the sport. Hopefully something positive comes out of this loss.

Peter Marini, Boston, Ma / USA

Although the pitch was not ideal after the Americans played I do not blame them. I know the FA need to make money to pay for the white elephant that is Wembley but its the same for both teams. The FA knew this fixture was coming up so having the Americans play on the pitch ripping it to shreds was totally stupid, no matter how much revenue it generated.

Croatia were able to pass the ball to each other despite the state of the pitch and usually with the first touch they were in control of the ball. In the case of England it took 2 or even three touches to control the ball before they could even think about passing. Also why have we spent £700m+ on a stadium that has no roof - pathetic! Surely a roof is more important than an arch?

At the end of the day we didn't deserve to get to Euro 2008. We were given an unlikely lifeline by Israel on Saturday but we still managed to blow it. Despite England being out that will not stop me enjoying Euro 2008 next summer!

Gen, London,

Typical xenophobic nonsense, NFL and the pitch. Hopefully it was toungue in cheek?
Croatia seemed to handle it okay? And they were playing our "golden generation" from the "best league in the world"
Stop blaming everything except what is truly at fault, our players. They are simply not good enough and they are made to look better than they really are by the real stars of the Premier League, the foriegn imports. Want proof? Simple, look what happens when you put 11 of English players out on the pitch with no foriegn teamates to help them out.

David Brady, Deer Park, USA

I knew it...President George W. Bush did it...or was it global warming...or the Russians...Naahhhh, it was the 4th estate,Giles Smith and his 'tavern' pals did it....hahaha...Long live the Brits..........

Mr Tim, San Marcos, U S of A / Ca

No passion, no pride - this is what happens when you pay whining, spoilt idiots like this.

And Jim in NY - when your country can play Rugby -(note the spelling) without the body padding of American Football, you then earn the right to comment on English Rugby. Rugby players earn a fraction of what's earn for both these other sports. yet show more balls than either game.

We overcome our demons - we were written off before we even made it to Paris, but the England Rugby team poured their hearts and souls into the final games. Something our pitiful Football players are unable to do. So leave the rugby out of this!

Sarah, London,

What a lame excuse. For heaven's sake - if somebody should be able to play well on wet and muddy ground it should be people from the British Isles, considering your weather!

Ulf, Sweden,

That's "second down," not "second and down," mate.

Simon, Washington, DC, USA

Abigail, this column is always a humorous and irreverant one. Get yourself a sense of humour!

Claire, Henley, UK

Sour LOOOOOsers it is ....
yes, why not blame americans for everything: loosing rugny world cup to SA, loosing football games to everyone and everything .... and yes, it is all americans fault for a pathetic bunch of football players ...

jim, new york, ny

Err...excuse me, did I just hear an Aussie call someone a sour loser? Having been in Sydney and Newcastle during the period after Australia's exit from the Rugby World Cup at the hands of England, ooh, that's a bit rich. The Australian press proved themselves world champions in erm...whingeing. If you read it again, you'll see there's not a word of Smith's article suggesting he's a sour loser. He quotes Hansen saying the England team is devoid of class and quality! Is that being a sore loser? I think there's more 'going on' with Abigail's national identity than anything else. Smith's actually doing what we Brits do best, which is not playing football by the way, but having a good laugh in the face of adversity. Loved the call for Marsh, that was very funny.

Trevor, Oslo, Norway

Yea, you are right about american football... strange game indeed, basicly they do same things like rugby, excepe in rugby all you have is plaid shirt and leather helmet (helmet optional).

But Croatians did have more practice on terain, after playing in Skopje and training home, even Wembly looked like perfect pitch.
So it's not all England's fault

Frantz, Bugojno,

Wow -- talk about sour loser. And I suppose Croatia mastered the art of playing on pureed ground better than you pommies did?

How rubbish. Maybe you should blame the Kanye West mom's too for distracting the players during practice, with her MEMORIAL SERVICE.

Abigail, Melbourne, Australia