England's campaign: the final verdict

SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON

SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON

Prepared the team well. Few complaints over selection, none of them glaring. Substitutions were perhaps overly defensive. Faith in Rooney rewarded, less so his belief in the more established names. 5/10

DAVID JAMES

(age 33) 4 matches (390min on pitch), 6 goals conceded

Improved and was impressive against Portugal despite failing to reach a single penalty. Oldest in squad but being best of poor crop he may make 2006. 5/10

GARY NEVILLE

(age 29) 4 (390)

Solid defensively, contributed in attack but lacks panache needed by modern full-backs. Dressing-room presence beneficial after France. May be pressurised by Glen Johnson soon. 6/10

JOHN TERRY

(age 23) 3 (300)

Replaced Rio Ferdinand but lacked his poise in possession. Still young but must improve to hold off Ferdinand and Jonathan Woodgate, who are quicker and technically superior. 4/10

SOL CAMPBELL

(age 29) 4 (390)

Commanding in the air, quick on the ground, he was again England's best defensive player but will never be comfortable on the ball, which puts pressure on those around him. 7/10

ASHLEY COLE

(age 26) 4 (390)

Finally showed club form for country and had an excellent tournament both defensively and offensively. Maturing both as a player and as a man, he should be a fixture for years. 8/10

DAVID BECKHAM

(age 29) 4 (390)

Worked hard but never seized a match and, for the first time in six years, his place must be questioned. Two calamitous penalties. Has recovered before but needs a big season. 4/10

STEVEN GERRARD

(age 24) 4 (350) 1 goal

Promised more than he delivered, perhaps due to transfer talk or exhausting season. Hugely committed but passing too speculative. Inexperience showed in collapse against France. 4/10

FRANK LAMPARD

(age 26) 4 (383) 3 goals

Delivered in front of goal and in the tackle but passing tended to be hurried and thus often sloppy. Late addition to team and, given rate of improvement, worth persevering with. 5/10

PAUL SCHOLES

(age 29) 4 (270) 1 goal

Scored at last but faded in all four games, reviving doubts about fitness in hot conditions. Capable of making team tick but never seemed happy in ill-defined left-flank role. 4/10

WAYNE ROONEY

(age 18) 4 (255) 4 goals

Phenomenon of the tournament: one wonders if, had he stayed fit, Portugal would have been swept aside. Awesome potential as finisher, playmaker, inspiration. Pray it is realised. 10/10

MICHAEL OWEN

(age 24) 4 (350) 1 goal

Worked hard and came good in the end but spark was missing and first touch repeatedly let him down. No longer electrifying but still world-class and should continue to be cherished. 5/10

LEDLEY KING

(age 23) 1+1sub (111)

Hugely mature against France and was unlucky to be dropped. Good in the air, happy on the ball, will challenge for starting role and may be Campbell's long-term replacement. 6/10

DARIUS VASSELL

(age 24) 0+4 (153)

Almost dislodged Owen, such was his form in training and impact as substitute but, sadly, will be remembered for his saved penalty. It could be the making of him; one fears otherwise. 5/10

OWEN HARGREAVES

(age 22) 0+3 (75)

Used only as substitute but a class act who should be bedded into the starting XI by the time they reach his German base for World Cup in 2006. The only question is: where? 6/10

PHIL NEVILLE

(age 27) 0+2 (71)

Two largely unimpressive appearances as substitute. The second took him to 50 caps, quite a feat given lack of impact at this level. Appears unlikely to fulfil youthful potential. 3/10

EMILE HESKEY

(age 26) 0+1 (15)

Well-meaning but catastrophic substitute against France. Must rediscover youthful zest at Birmingham or say farewell. Never lived up to stunning full debut against Argentina. 2/10

KIERON DYER

(age 25) 0+1 (7)

Two tournaments and no starts now and, at 25, must establish himself soon. Has pace, a commodity crucially lacking in England's midfield, but needs an injury-free season. 4/10

THE SIX WHO DIDN'T PLAY A PART IN EURO 2004

Wayne Bridge (age 23), Jamie Carragher (age 26), Joe Cole (age 22), Nicky Butt (age 29), Paul Robinson (age 24), Ian Walker (age 32). No appearances.

Walker's eight-year, four-cap international career appears over but the others should be around for 2006, though Butt and Carragher may struggle to win a place. Cole remains an enigma. He had 17 minutes in Japan, none here, and must soon prove he can contribute, not just decorate. The ghosts of Stan Bowles and Matt Le Tissier stalk him.

THE FANS

(Age 8-80) The biggest positive, along with Rooney's emergence, of England's campaign. Massive vocal support, dwarfing all other visitors, but aside from the lager louts of Albufeira there was barely a hint of trouble. There must, though, be no complacency. The hooligans were outnumbered but they have not retired. 8/10

KEY

England's marks have been assessed according to The Independent's Premiership Index where 5 equals the average mark