"From the moment Sven went with two fit strikers, including an untried teenager, there was always a danger that circumstances would conspire against us," Venables, who took England to the last four at Euro '96, told the News of the World.

"Some might argue that we suffered bad luck - the injury to Michael Owen, Wayne Rooneys red card - but the bottom line is that in both situations a drama became a crisis because we failed to think ahead," said Venables, set to assist incoming coach Steve McLaren.

Lot to learn
Former England coach Sir Bobby Robson says this year's vintage were not hungry enough to win the World Cup.

"I think we needed a bit of hunger to want to win. That was, in some cases, lacking," Robson told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I don't think some of our players played to their maximum potential" added Robson, who took England to the semis in 1990.

"We have a lot to learn," he added.

Got a ticket?
Tickets for the World Cup final between Italy and France were going at a whopping 2200 euros (2800 dollars) hours before kickoff as Italian and French fans gathered to try to snap one up in a final dash for a seat at the Olympic Stadium.

Dozens of fans, including a Japanese clad in a France shirt who said he would pay up to 500 euros 'only', were asking touts at the Olympic Stadium railway station.

According to one French fan some touts carried signs reading "1400 euros minimum."

One report said a member of the Brazilian Federation had sold a ticket for 2200 euros -- the top whack so far.

Turf for sale
Fans are queuing up for a piece of history -- or rather, a piece of the Olympic Stadium turf, which will be sold off to supporters after the tournament, according to German daily Tagespiegel.

"On Tuesday, the turf will be dug up and the Quelle company will cut it into sections and sell it to supporters," Alan Cairncross, head groundsman, told the paper. He added he had been trimming the grass to ensure it maintains its FIFA-specified length of 2.8 centimetres (1.2 inches.)