England look to fountain of youth

'Massive positive' 
"I think the players will see it as a disappointment but it can't be a disappointment when you consider that this is pretty much our Under-17s national team," Marley said after the 1-1 draw against Sweden which ensured elimination. "To me it's not a loss to not qualify for the semi-finals – it can only be positive for the future and for our U17s at the [FIFA Women's U-17] World Cup. That's a massive, massive positive. They've been here playing against teams with top-end players."

Missed chances
Indeed, seven of Marley's 18-player party are eligible to represent England in New Zealand in October and November, with five starting against Sweden in Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire. Needing victory to secure progress, they just fell short against a side forced to play the last 24 minutes with ten players. Toni Duggan came closest to grabbing the points when she rattled the crossbar in the closing stages while Remi Allen headed just wide and Marley admitted her charges lacked a killer instinct. "Chances have to be converted at those crucial times and that's what we've been guilty of over the last 12 months," said the 41-year-old. "We have lots and lots of possession but if you don't score, you don't win. We don't seem able to hurt teams and if you're going to win competitions then you need to be ruthless in and around the box."

'Baby team' 
That clinical edge may come with maturity and as thoughts switch to Belarus in 12 months and even F.Y.R. Macedonia in 2010, the future looks extremely bright for a country that is becoming a real force at this level. "It's all part of the experience for these players. We had a baby team out there but every game we've competed well enough," Marley mused. "Every team we faced here we've matched and gave a good account of ourselves. It's just the need for big-competition experience that has been lacking. But when they're at the top end of their age group the experience of this, and two years' more experience – it bodes well for the future."