Marika Domanski Lyfors signed off from eight years in charge of Sweden with tears in her eyes having seen her side beaten 3-2 by Norway and dumped out of Euro 2005 at the semi-final stage.
"I'm proud of my players," she said, her voice breaking. "I am proud to have been their coach. They will go on to win many gold medals, but I will not."
Domanski Lyfors's team played like a team destined for the final for much of the match, responding with goals from Hanna Ljungberg as Norway twice took the lead. But Solveig Gulbrandsen's second goal after 108 minutes means it will be their Scandinavian neighbours who face Germany in the final on Sunday.
"We wish Norway well for the final," she said. "We can't say we were the better side here tonight because we didn't score more goals than them, that is the game.
"We gave it our best but we just couldn't get the last goal."
Asked to reflect on her time as coach, Domanski Lyfors said: "Winning the silver medal at the last World Cup was very special. But watching the girls play here tonight is a wonderful memory."
And winning Norway coach Bjarne Berntsen was quick to offer his best wishes to his opposite number.
"She ended with a great game, full of fighting spirit, and I would like to congratulate her on her magnificent career as national coach," he said.
"I know she will be very disappointed to go out to neighbours Norway, but she has been fantastic," he said, adding, "though I'm sure that won't be much comfort right now."
There was no comfort needed for Berntsen though, who grinned as he told a packed press conference: "I'm very pleased and satisfied. Solveig Gulbrandsen was great, I had a feeling it would be her day."
His thoughts turned immediately to Sunday's final, however, and the task of facing Germany after two hours' frantic action here.
"My players are very tired," he said, "there may be some players who cannot play on Sunday because they are so tired from playing here.
"Germany have had an extra day's rest, and had a far easier semi-final match, but we cannot make excuses, we just have to get ready for the final."
Berntsen also took a moment to thank the thousands of fans who have turned out to watch Norway throughout the tournament. "We have had tremendous support here, the people love my girls, Bente Nordby has her own fanclub behind the goal.
"It's fantastic – and it was about time we gave them a win to cheer." He'll no doubt be hoping to have the crowd at Ewood Park on Sunday cheering, too.
