Berti Vogts pronounced himself proud of his team despite Scotland's 6-0 hammering by the Netherlands in Amsterdam. And he insisted that Scotland's heaviest defeat in 42 years was not as dispiriting as the 5-0 drubbing inflicted by France in Paris in his first match in charge 15 months ago.
Dutch boss Dick Advocaat silenced the critics who bayed for his blood following the 1-0 first-leg defeat at Hampden, putting Wednesday's progress to the Euro 2004 finals down to his own tactical changes.
But Vogts, while refusing to blame anyone individually, insisted that the change in fortunes was down to a simple gulf in class and the ability to play at the top international level in two games in a week.
"We missed the suspended Christian Dailly in the midfield," he said. "He works so hard.
"But the Dutch were so strong and they will be one of the favourites for Euro 2004, with the French and maybe the Germans. "The Dutch played very, very good football and we must learn from the big nations.
"You know the difference when you watch the big players playing for the big clubs.
"This was a learning experience for us and we have to learn from it.
"At the moment, we can't play two matches in four days against this strong a team.
"Now we start preparation for the World Cup qualifiers."
Scotland's players looked a beaten side when 3-0 down at half-time and, by the final whistle, the likes of James McFadden were feeling crushed.
"It's dispiriting, we're absolutely gutted and to lose in that manner is hard to take," said the Everton forward.
"But we're sticking together and we're proud we got this far. We've not let anyone down.
 Van Nistelrooy and Sneijder inspired the Dutch to victory |
"They had to win tonight and their first goal gave them heart and, all credit to them, it was a tremendous first goal. "Tonight, they were just too good for us, but we've put in a tremendous effort and you can't fault anybody."
Dundee defender Lee Wilkie added: "It doesn't matter who you lose six goals against, it's embarrassing. It gets to you.
"We lost three goals from set-pieces. One is bad enough, but three is hard to take in."
Advocaat had made four changes from the side that lost in Glasgow, choosing Ruud van Nistelrooy ahead of Patrick Kluivert leading to a hat-trick for the Manchester United striker.
But the former Rangers manager's most crucial decision was perhaps the introduction of 19-year-old Wesley Sneijder, who scored the opener and created three others. A delighted Dutch boss concluded: "I've always said we had some up and coming players.
"The whole country thought they were ready to play, but I didn't think the moment was right - until now."
MMIX
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We can't play two matches in four days against this strong a team 
