Euro 2012: England's penalty agony goes on but at least there are grounds for optimism England have been searching for a semi-final place ever since Gareth Southgate's wayward spot-kick against Germany at Euro 96 and they dreamed here. Yet England can go out with their heads held high. For all the frustration attending another disappointment against a major nation, England definitely return home a better side, with hope rekindled for the future. So dry the tears. Danny Welbeck has signalled his promise out here and the memory endures of his brilliant finish against Sweden. The rejuvenating of England will continue when Jack Wilshere and Kyle Walker are fit enough to rejoin Welbeck, setting off on the road to the 2014 World Cup. England enhanced their reputation here, there is no doubt about that. Arriving with expectations at their lowest ebb for years, England showed resilience to draw with France, then survived turbulent moments against Sweden and Ukraine. So keep calm and carry on to qualifying for Brazil. There can be no shame to be knocked out by the 2006 world champions, the team of Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon. Italy are an exceptional footballing nation, who keep developing players and possess an understanding of tournament life. England have now won only one of their last 10 matches against Italy (and that was in Le Tournoi). The record books were never on England's side. Yet when they look back on the scrapbook of Euro 2012, England can reflect with some pride that they reached the quarter-finals when such pre-tournament luminaries as Holland had gone home. Most significantly as England look to the future, these Euros have proved the FA appointed well in Roy Hodgson. The fans clearly respect him, chanting "Roy Hodgson's Barmy Army." They can see how hard Hodgson is working to dispel the fear factor from England, and to liberate the players from the shackles of history. He is fostering the right mood in the England camp. It will take a decade to rival the waves of starlets emerging in Germany or Spain but at least the FA has started the process. England have a good manager, some decent players and there is always another chance, even if the years of hurt