To glance at the Spanish news stands yesterday was to witness a nation in mourning. Having started to believe this might finally be their year, the population awoke with heavy hearts to front-page headlines declaring disappointment, defeat and despair.

Surveying a nation's press during the four weeks of World Cup-induced madness is an exercise in extremes. In Spain cautious optimism had given way to genuine belief only to turn to crushing dismay at Tuesday's defeat by France. One national daily yesterday featured a blank front page, explaining below that it had been reserved for a victory picture that never came.

Conversely, the French media are waxing lyrical. "It's unbelievable. Typical France. A week ago we were afraid to meet Togo and now everybody is convinced we will beat Brazil," says Jean Michel Rouet, the football editor-in-chief at L'Equipe. "We had shown nothing before yesterday. Now, everything is possible."

Noting the English propensity to swing between extreme highs and lows on the basis of a single game, however, Rouet added: "We learned eight years ago that we could improve (during the tournament) so the press have been careful not to make too-strong comments."

Likewise the German press has been more realistic, having started the tournament in pessimistic mood. But the tabloid Bild has been increasingly upbeat and this week announced Germany had nothing to fear from tomorrow's quarter-final opponents Argentina.

In Italy, where high hopes have been soured by an unconvincing march to the quarter-finals and the shadow of the ongoing Serie A investigations, the papers see their pessimism as a badge of honour.

"Even on the day of winning the World Cup in Spain we were critical. We can find fault even in our finest hour," said Giancarlo Galavotti, London correspondent for the La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

"On that point of view, we are probably on the opposite extreme to England."

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian media saluted their team reaching the quarter-finals on penalties, despite the tedious draw with Switzerland.

And the Sydney Morning Herald lavished praise on the Socceroos' gallant defeat but still found space to fault coach Guus Hiddink over his substitutions.