Spain striker Raul was not keen to dwell on his penalty miss that cost his side a possible place in the Euro 2000 semi-finals Sunday.
Raul blazed his spot-kick over in the dying seconds after France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez had been penalized for fouling Abelardo.
That ensured that France prevailed 2-1 in this quarterfinals with first-half goals from Zinedine Zidane and Youri Djorkaeff sandwiching another Spanish penalty, this time successful, from Gaizka Mendieta.
Raul briefly emerged in front of the waiting press pack after undergoing a random dope test but would only say: "We are going to the airport, tigers."
He was supported by coach Jose Antonio Camacho, who mused, "Raul accepts the blame. That's the mark of a great player... I'm not going to hold it against him. These things happen in football, there's no point crying about it."
Camacho added: "The French players just have this something extra which makes the difference, that's why they're the world champions.
And he then echoed Raul by saying: "We came here to win this competition and we lost... it's time to go on holiday."
Raul's Real Madrid teammate Michel Salgado said: "As for Raul there is nothing I can say. He is one of the best players in the world, the only player who misses a penalty is the one who is prepared to take it, and he was brave ... but to do it in the last minute. It is a missed opportunity,” – (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
