Powell Upbeat after Defeat

England manager Hope Powell was upbeat last night despite her side's Euro 2005 exit as they lost to Sweden at Blackburn's Ewood Park.

Powell said: "A bit of sloppy defending cost us.

"But we have a very young squad and they will bounce back.

"I think all the federations watching know we will be a force to be reckoned with. We have an average age of 23 and this was great experience for them."

Faye White, England's captain added: "It is massively disappointing to go out. We were one goal away."

England, needed just a draw to ensure they progressed to the last four, but conceded the only goal of the game in the opening minutes of the game as they failed to deal with a corner allowing Anna Sjostrom to score.

White added: "It's a stupid goal to give away and such a soft goal to go out of the tournament on.

"We are proud of all the work and effort but disappointed at going out. We believed we could do it but we have to go on and take encouragement from our performances."