England, who have been imperious all week in Hereford, finally succumbed at the semi-final stage to Russia, losing a penalty shootout following a goalless draw.
All three of England’s takers missed their spot-kicks – Dan English, Owen Bainbridge and Keryn Seal – with Anton Iakovlev successfully beating James to send Russia into the final.
England v Spain
IBSA Blind European Championships Third Place Play-Off ThePoint4, Hereford Saturday 29 August 2015
In the other semi-final, Spain were also beaten on penalties to Turkey, so will meet Jon Pugh’s side at 1pm this afternoon.
And James says now is the time to regroup and go out with a bang.
“I can’t begin to describe the emotions that are flying around the team right now. This is the culmination of two years of work, two years of blood, sweat and tears,” he said.
“But we will stick together as a group of team-mates and as men. No-one’s pointing fingers, no-one’s blaming each other.
“This team’s motto has always been ‘stay in the present’ and that’s what we have got to do now.
“We need to show everyone that we are not going to crumble. We have recovered properly – we have had ice baths, and our postgame food – and tomorrow we are going to go out and finish on a high, and keep our heads up.
“If you look at where we were at the last Euro’s – finishing eighth – and how far we’ve come to get here under Jon Pugh, we’ve made massive strides.
“Since going professional, we are more tactical and more technical. We’re dangerous. “Sometimes you come up against a good defensive side like Turkey – and credit to them – they try to take that side of your game away.
“Maybe we have to move on and work out how to breakdown teams when they do that. But now it’s all about tomorrow, it’s another day.”
