Italy manager Antonio Conte insists there's "no disgrace" in shedding by way of a penalty shootout after Italy were eliminated by Germany in the Euro 2016 quarter-finals on Saturday.
Leonardo Bonucci cancelled out Mesut Ozil's opener in Bordeaux, with the two heavyweights locked at 1-1 after 120 minutes.
Whilst Italy and Germany had never met in a shootout at a predominant match earlier than, the world champions had the simpler record - unbeaten through spot-kicks because 1976.
That truth didn't alternate at the finish of a weird shootout, where seven avid gamers failed to score.
Matteo Darmian's miss proved the most expensive, with 26-yr-historic Jonas Hector then slotting the successful penalty to ship Germany into the semi-finals.
"the boys gave everything they had against a very powerful aspect," Conte - who is leaving his publish to become a member of Chelsea within the most desirable League - told Rai activity.
"Being crushed with the aid of Germany on penalties isn't any shame, as we would've long past ahead too. I'm happy with what these lads did.
"the world champions converted their process for us and that's a rationale to be proud."
He brought: "Regrets? Only for the penalties, not for the hassle and love they confirmed for the jersey. These avid gamers rather proved the whole thing and gave all that they had.
"i do not wish to make opinions, I opt for to depart that to others. What interests me is that I had an tremendous experience with these lads, making Italy revered and feared by means of all people.
"We tried and had been capable to make the fanatics happy with us. We made the avid gamers real aware that it can be a privilege to put on the shirt."