This will haunt us for life: Bilic

8220;Penalties of course are something special but speaking for myself I have no misgivings for my players,8221; added Bilic.

8220;I am proud of them but at the same time we are unhappy because we thought we could make it to the end of this tournament.8221;

Ivan Klasnic put Croatia ahead in the 119th minute but Bilic8217;s team were rocked when Semih Senturk dramatically equalised two minutes into stoppage time.

8220;It was a shock for us, it seemed as if it was all over, and then we concede a goal and go on to the penalty shootout, that was certainly a psychological advantage for the Turks,8221; said Bilic.

8220;I can8217;t say what was on the players minds but they were not focused on the shootout, mentally they must still have been in extra time and seeing that conceded goal again. That must have affected them,8221; added Bilic.

8220;I can8217;t blame any of the players who missed. Those who stepped up to take the spot kicks were the ones who were strong enough to do it. There were players who didn8217;t want to take the penalties and I have no complaints against them either.8221;

Kovac ponders quitting

Croatia captain Niko Kovac hinted he was likely to hang up his international boots after their astonishing defeat.

8220;I8217;ll give my decision a night8217;s sleep to make it with a clear head but there are younger lads out there ready to take over,8221; said the 36-year old defensive midfielder.

8220;I said before the tournament I was more likely to retire after Euro 2008 than carry on and I haven8217;t changed my mind.8221;

8220;They say that luck favours the brave, we were brave tonight and were not rewarded for our courage,8221; said Kovac.