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Slideshow: Heads held high for the end of a great adventure
Like all good things it came to an end – but it's been one hell of a ride.
Pompey's amazing Blue Army trooped home today after seeing their dreams of Uefa Cup glory dashed in Germany.
But despite their despair at the 3-2 defeat against Vfl Wolfsburg which sealed their fate, supporters held their heads high.
The deafening roar of Pompey supporters in Wolfsburg's stunning stadium last night was typical of the pride fans have raised the roof with during their Uefa campaign.
View pictures of the Blue army in Wolfsburg
And although fans were bitterly disappointed, they know they will have treasured memories of Pompey's first ever European adventure.
Fan Paddy Thomas, 66, from Hayling Island, said: 'I'm very disappointed. But it's no good anybody blaming any of the players.
'It's our first trip into Europe, and from the fans' point of view I don't think we should be down-hearted.
'We have got to get over it and concentrate on the league.
'Let's remember AC Milan – we were in dreamland against them. I'm not going to feel negative. We wouldn't have dreamed of this a few years ago.'
Portsmouth South Lib Dem MP Mike Hancock, who listened to the game at home, said: 'I think the whole city will be sad, it's such a shame. I'm disappointed, but hopefully the experience has done everyone good and it's been brilliant for the fans.'
In Wolfsburg, Malcolm Flack, 44, from Copnor, and his son Sonny, 17, were determined to stay positive.
Malcolm said: 'I'm glad we came. It has been a good trip. What can I say? We just didn't play well in the second half. But we have got to follow Pompey around Europe so it's not all that bad really.'
Fans in Wolfsburg's Volkswagen Arena sang their hearts out as the blues took them on an emotional rollercoaster on a freezing night.
Pompey fell behind within the first three minutes before hitting back to go 2-1 up. But they could not hold on to the lead and conceded an equaliser before half-time. The dream ended when David James gifted the German side victory about 20 minutes from the final whistle.
The result means Pompey can no longer qualify for the next round of the Uefa cup, and their game against Heerenveen next week against the Dutch side will be their last in the competition.
John Bradley, 50, from Crookhorn, said: 'I'm disappointed. We just don't have the strength in depth to compete in the Premiership and in Europe.
'We have now got a lot of older players and there is a feeling we have hit a glass ceiling. But it has still been a good trip.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -4 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
