France defender Patrice Evra believes his side have no excuses for their Euro 2008 exit after a 2-0 defeat to Italy on Tuesday.

Les Bleus needed to win to keep alive their hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals as Group C runners-up behind Holland, but a penalty from Andrea Pirlo and Daniele De Rossi's deflected free-kick ensured they crashed out with one point from three games.

Eric Abidal was also sent off to cap off a miserable night for France.

After a goalless draw with Romania and a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Holland, Raymond Domenech's troops return home having scored just once and with star man Franck Ribery injured after an awkward fall in the opening 10 minutes at the Letzigrund Stadion.

"It is terrible, terrible," said Evra. "For a nation as big as ours, with the players we have, to go out like this is terrible.

"There are no excuses. We were in the best possible condition. You can talk about the penalty, about the sending off. Yes, these affected the game but they are just details and we must take responsibility for being in this position."

The exit could mark the end of an era for France, whose ageing key players failed to stamp their authority on the big stage as they once did.

Patrick Vieira struggled with injury throughout, Claude Makelele looked off the pace and captain Lilian Thuram was left on the bench against Italy.

Evra declined to comment on what he thought France's future holds, and insisted team spirit was good throughout a troubled tournament.

"Is this the end of an era?" said the Manchester United man. "I do not know and I do not speak of the future.

"I heard stupid things about the atmosphere in the squad not being good. It was very good, maybe too good. But we lost.

"I am not angry with the team. I do not like to lose but I will not be looking for excuses. We have three matches and we didn't win a single one.

"I am sorry for everyone and I am having trouble taking this in."