Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci said his team exit Euro 2016 with their "heads held high" after a dramatic 6-5 penalty shootout defeat to Germany in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
Bonucci scored from the spot in normal time to cancel out Mesut Ozil's opener as the match went to extra time and then penalties, in which Germany emerged triumphant in Bordeaux.
The centre-back, who missed his penalty in the shootout, was proud of Italy's performance over the course of the tournament, with Antonio Conte's team surprising many with their run to the final eight.
"We had said at the start of this adventure that if we went out, we had to do it with heads held high. I think that over 120 minutes this Nazionale went toe-to-toe with the World Cup winners," Bonucci is quoted by Football Italia as telling Rai Sport.
"Going out always hurts, but these men, from the coach and president to every player, were great men. We put our heart on to the pitch in every game and every training session.
"I want to thank the Italians, as they were close to us and gave us a lot of enthusiasm. We hope to have made them proud.
"In these competitions you have to be a group and we knew it was the only way to have our say. We beat Belgium, Spain and Sweden, then drew with the World Champions.
"I want to applaud everyone who worked with this fantastic side over the last two years. Unfortunately the penalties are a lottery, they made one fewer mistake than us.
"I am proud to have been a part of this team. Conte was sad about the defeat, but thanked the men he worked with."
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon spoke through tears after coming inches from saving Jonas Hector's winning penalty.
"We did the most that we could do and it was almost enough, which means that when you are a team with values, organisation, tactics, then nothing becomes impossible," Buffon said.
"Conte complimented us, as he was proud of training a group of players and of men like us, who to the very end gave their last drop of sweat. We gave our soul to follow this dream."
"We each have our reasons to cry. We gave so much and came so close."
Buffon stopped Thomas Muller's attempt in the shootout, while Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mesut Ozil both missed, but it still wasn't enough for Italy to go through.
"It's crazy to think that Germany failed to convert three penalties and it still wasn't enough," Buffon said. "I can't say we've had worse. This defeat was incredibly shocking to us. We go forward, as there are other duties and other responsibilities.
"The problem two years ago was we went out with so many regrets, the feeling we made mistakes and didn't do all we could. Tonight we really did try and it wasn't enough. We have to take this home."
Defender Andrea Barzagli was upset that the team's hard work was all for nothing.
"We really did give everything," he said. "Unfortunately what we're left with is defeat and in my view nothing will remain of all the good things we did.
"All that remains is disappointment and in a few years nobody will remember anything about this Nazionale that truly gave everything.
"We really enjoyed our time together and wanted it to continue. We're sad."