Roy Hodgson to intensify penalty practice
Roy Hodgson will intensify penalty practice ahead of Sunday's quarter-final collision with Italy as England attempt to reach the last four of a major finals for the first time since Euro 96.
England have departed five of the past nine tournaments in which they have participated after fluffing their lines in a penalty shootout, a sequence that stretches back 22 years, to the World Cup in Italy, and has served to scar the national psyche.
The game in Kiev may be decided on spot-kicks, with Hodgson, painfully aware of England's wretched record from 12 yards, placing a heavy emphasis on penalties.