Pearce is no stranger to misery at the final hurdle, he got to the last four twice as a player at major tournaments and lost on penalties both times, part of a series of near misses for England since 1966.

An English problem, according to Pearce, is a culture of failure and satisfaction at reaching the latter stages but he believes his youngsters can make the jump.

They are unbeaten for the last 12 games going into the clash in Heerenveen against the holders and hosts.

Pearce said: "Winning things is paramount to people. Once you have that winning mentality, it's infectious and people want more."

The hope is for his players to eventually graduate to Steve McClaren's seniors to help end England's long trophy drought on the international stage.

The last two major tournaments for England have ended with penalty shoot-out defeats at the quarter-final stage, with Pearce making his players practice spot-kicks after every training session since he took over to guard against more agony.

Pearce added: "Maybe we just haven't been good enough. Maybe mentally we need to be that much stronger. Maybe the mentality of the British press corps - are you just happy to get to the semi-finals?

"If I was sat with a group of Australian journalists would they ask that question?"

England's path to the final has offered reminders of Pearce's playing career, starting with being reunited with Gianfranco Zola and Pierluigi Casiraghi on the touchline against Italy.

Beating Holland at Euro 96 was among the finest England performances Pearce played in. He also faced them six years earlier at the World Cup before going out to Germany at the last-four stage.

mfl