DREAD OF HEAVEN

Euro dream over for Dragons as James shootout penalty is saved to send Poland through to finals

- NEIL MOXLEY

 

IN the end, it came down to a trial from 12 yards.

A great way to win - and a bloody awful way to lose.

As head coach Rob Page surveyed the dejected sea of red-shirted bodies around him at the City of Cardiff Stadium's pitch, there was hardly a dry eye in the house.

Two hours' graft gone.

In a puff of smoke.

When keeper Wojciech Szczesny saved Dan James' spot-kick, it was over-and it was harsh, so harsh on Page's young guns. So much has been expected of them that it would be unfair to point to their inexperience as a factor.

But, as the Poles celebrated with their 1,900 travelling supporters, it was difficult to wonder if the sheer magnitude of the occasion had told.

It was cruel to be falling at this hurdle after Page's squad dragged themselves back from the brink by their fingertips during qualification from the group.

The stadium had witnessed some of the country's greatest nights.