Hart’s final agony as England bid for Euro glory

Monday 29th June 2009, 1:23PM BST.

Former Shrewsbury Town goalkeeper Joe Hart will miss England under-21s European Championship final with Germany tonight after UEFA rejected his appeal against his semi-final yellow card.

Hart was booked at the end of the semi-final against Sweden for ungentlemanly conduct during the penalty shoot-out.

England were hoping the appeal would allow Hart, who will play for Birmingham City on loan next season, to feature.

Meanwhile Mark Noble is dreaming of ending his England Under-21 career by defeating Germany.

Noble, 22, and players such as James Milner will make their final appearance for the Under-21s when Stuart Pearce’s youngsters face England’s traditional rivals at Swedbank Stadion.

They have already gone one better than 2007 when they were knocked out at the semi-final stage – and now Noble is targeting a famous win.

“It will be my last match for the Under-21s and what a way to go out,” he said.

“I was so close two years ago but now we have one foot in the door and hopefully we can step in.”

“We’re all English players and when you get brought through the ranks from under-16s to under-21s and the senior team, whenever you play Germany it is always a massive game.

“There is no doubt there will be that extra little incentive because it is Germany.”