One of the biggest lies in football is when the commentators say something along the lines of "no one likes to see games decided by penalties". But those shoot-outs we actually love so much are about to change.
What the commentators really mean is, "everyone who supports one of these teams could do without the significant rise in blood pressure that this shoot-out is about to give us."
But in reality there's absolutely nothing better than a good penalty shoot-out when your team isn't involved, or for the elation if your team wins. As an Englishman I don't get to feel the latter too often.
Don't worry Gareth, one day you'll be in charge of a team who loses on penalties. PA Images
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Having watched what feels like hundreds of lost shoot-outs for England and seen countless debates afterwards asking for a better way to decide the game I say sod that.
But UEFA are looking to change the format of the shoot-out to lower the advantage that the team shooting first apparently have.
The new system will be trialled at the European under 17s Championships, which started this week, and is known as the ABBA system. In essence team A goes first and then team B takes two penalties in a row.
Lampard, so good at penalties for Chelsea, hit by the England curse. PA Images
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UEFA said, "The hypothesis is that the player taking the second kick in the pair is under greater mental pressure.
"If the opposition's first penalty in the pair has been successful, a miss by the second penalty-taker in the pair could mean the immediate loss of a match for his team, especially from the fourth pair of penalties onwards."
The referee will toss a coin twice to determine which end the penalties are being taken and who will take first, and fourth.
What it means for the results of penalty shoot-outs going forward is anyone's guess but one thing is for sure, England will still lose!
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