Tuesday 27 June 2017 21:47, UK
Aidy Boothroyd believes England U21s are making progress at major tournaments despite their penalty defeat to Germany on Tuesday.
Nathan Redmond missed the crucial spot-kick as the Young Lions lost 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in Tychy, ending their European U21 Championship campaign at the semi-final stage.
England overturned Davie Selke's opener to lead 2-1 after goals from Demarai Gray and Tammy Abraham before Felix Platte forced extra-time.
Germany dominated for large spells and had the better chances to win the game before progressing on spot-kicks.
Boothroyd praised his side's character and said he was "proud but disappointed" after their exit.
"We are getting better," he told Sky Sports. "We had a real go and we didn't play at our best.
"What we did do was we showed that character. We tried our hardest to get a foothold in the game but at times they were really good.
"There were times in the game - I felt they went ahead against the run of play - but they came back into it and gave us a lot of problems. It was backs to the wall at times.
"I thought we showed real character and determination and we then went ahead and showed what we are about.
"In the end we are all deeply disappointed, to take it as far as we did. We can be proud and disappointed. I want us to take that next step and we are so close. On the night it just wasn't to be."
England practised penalties in training from May in preparation for the tournament and Boothroyd said he felt confident when the game went to spot-kicks.
"I thought looking at the penalty takers, you expect them to do what they do all the time," he added. "When they [Germany] missed I thought we had a great chance but that's football.
"Those experiences, while not the nicest, will push them on."
England held a slim shoot-out advantage when Jordan Pickford saved from Yannick Gerhardt but Abraham's miss levelled the score and Redmond's failure sent Germany through.
But Boothroyd was still keen to focus on the positives after a successful summer for England's youth teams.
"There is work for us to do but we will only do it by getting to the latter stages of tournaments," he continued.
"We have done that with the U17s, the U20s, winning the World Cup, us getting to the semi-final, it is progress.
"I am enjoying being part of an organisation that is pushing and getting better. I think we are getting better. On tonight's performance we are just not quite there yet."
