We're still full of hope, says Powell after final defeat to Germany

England women's coach Hope Powell tried to look looked forward with confidence today despite a shattering end to her side's Euro 2009 dreams in Helsinki last night.

England were outclassed in their first major final for 25 years as they lost 6-2 to all-conquering Germany.

Goals from Karen Carney and Kelly Smith kept England in contention as they twice halved two-goal deficits but world champions Germany could not be stopped as they won to a fifth successive Euro title.

Nevertheless, Powell felt her team would learn from the defeat and is already looking forward to World Cup qualifying, which starts next month.

Powell said: "The experience of this has been phenomenal, playing six games and getting the final - we have never experienced that before. This will make us stronger, we will go back and work harder and make sure we are in it again.

"The main objective is to qualify for major tournaments. If you look through this tournament, losing the opening game, having injuries - we have had a tough time.

"Every game has been tough and the girls will be stronger for it. Our future is bright."

England's chief destroyers last night were Inka Grings and veteran Birgit Prinz. Both struck twice with Grings ensuring she finished as the tournament's top goalscorer with six and Prinz taking her international goal tally to 125.

Melanie Behringer and Kim Kulig were also on target for the impressive holders, who have not been beaten in tournament football since 1999.

Powell said: "The scoreline sounds like a walloping but I don't think it was.

"We started very brightly and we still believed we were in it at 3-2.

"We're happy with what we have achieved in reaching the final but not satisfied.

"I think this will make the girls hungrier next time and one day it will be our day."

German coach Silvia Neid admitted England had made life tough before her side eventually secured their seventh Euro title in eight attempts.

Neid said: "I thought England could have got back into the game, even at 4-2 down.

"I only felt confident at 5-2 when England started to look tired and we were still enthusiastic."