Editor's Euro 2009 Blog

Become a ‘fan’ of the England Under-21s on our official Facebook page

I’m not sure how to feel today. Days like this is what football is all about, everyone wants to be a part of a winning team, and to become one you must face what we have before us here in Malmo. A major Final.

It’s not often enough that we are in this position, and it’s for that reason I don’t know whether to be excited or anxious. As Stuart Pearce said in his press conference yesterday, not winning against Germany tonight would not be deemed a success, but from England’s past experience this is a major achievement.

But I know exactly what the boss means. We arrived in Sweden 19 days ago so that we would still be here today, with the aim of finishing the job off.

We need to be used to tasting victory in matches like the one the boys have been preparing for. For over 22 months, the work has led to today. And this morning on the Malmo Old Stadium pitch, which is literally a goal-kick from the pitch England will be playing on tonight, they had their final training session of the trip, their last chance to put the finishing touches on their plans for European success.

The team have remained unbeaten since the start of the campaign, they’ve played some great games, and they’ve rode their luck. The mood after Friday’s semi-final was subdued, considering the significance of the victory, but tonight any victory will be greeted with delight.

With our record as it is, a Final place is never guaranteed, they don’t come around often. So everyone must savour the opportunity, it’s the biggest thing I’ve ever been this closely involved in, and I’m sure it is the same for many of the players and staff.

This group of players have a chance tonight to carve their names into England’s history and become winners. They looked focused as they sat on the bus back from training this morning, some were in quiet contemplation, some relaxed and smiling with their team mates.

I’ve been helping out the team’s video analysts Steve O’Brien and Mike Baker with the video that will be shown to the players before they leave the dressing room tonight. It’s messaging will be simple; Make the most of this chance, have no regrets, and do your team, yourself and your country proud.

Seize the day.

Don't forget! You can follow England’s campaign in the Finals with TheFA.com who will be with the team all the way in the Finals.

You'll also be able keep tabs by following us on Twitter , or become a ‘fan’ of the England Under-21s on our official Facebook page .

We are now on the bus travelling to Malmo, first stop will be the New Stadium, venue for tomorrow's Final, then on to our new hotel.

Behind us are 14 games - unbeaten - and our friends in the beautiful town of Varberg.

When we arrived in Varberg, our base for 18 days, many of us who were in Holland two years ago were only able to hope this experience would equal that.

On the pitch, the team have gone one step further, their showdown with Germany between them and glory.

Off it, the platform the whole camp has been given has enabled everyone to remain relaxed, focused and committed to achieving our goal.

A spa resort on the west coast of Sweden, halfway between our two group venues in Halmstad and Gothenburg, Varberg is a hidden gem.

The staff at our hotel, Varbergs Kurort, did everything they could to make our stay just right, and the surroundings were simply magnificent.

A beach just a few yards from the hotel doors, by day provided a place of rest and by night, the rippling water and the amazing sunsets gave peace and tranquility.

Last night after the sun had dropped below the horizon, four of us, the Doc, Physios Dave and Derek and me, took one final stroll around the bay, along the rocks to a little jetty where we spotted crabs and starfish.

A few of the lads were sitting chatting in the lobby when we got back, as Stuart, Steve Wigley, Martin Thomas and Brian Eastick walked in.

They'd been out along the coastal path the other way, towards town, and looked relaxed and content. Our usual coffees and chit-chat outside in the warm evening followed. While the topic of conversation wasn't always football, it was difficult not to notice people drift off into their thoughts of what could be on Monday.

As Mark Noble said, we're in a final and no one can take that away from us.

And as we head south, with memories of Varberg and the seaside resort etched on our minds, our new base for the next two nights awaits.

I'm sure it won't have the same atmosphere and scenery as the one we have left behind. A city hotel in a commercial part of Malmo, a stone's throw from a shopping centre.

But it'll be perfect for our short stay because we are going there on business.

It could be easy for the players to get bored, which could affect their focus.

Two years ago in Holland, there really was little for the players to do other than play in the games room or watch films.

But in Sweden, the days just fly by and the lads seem to be enjoying the whole experience.

Training has been excellent throughout, even the last couple of days when the searing heat could have slowed down the pace. The players do seem very hungry.

After they return from the training ground in the early afternoon, the rest of the day is there's.

The recreation room - where the boys watch TV, play on the Wii (Mario Kart appears to be the favourite game), play pool, table tennis or darts - is the main congregation area after lunch.

I was wandering through there a couple of days ago and while Walcott and Stearman battled it out in table tennis, Michael Mancienne was playing darts by himself and challenged me.

Usually a quick game of 301 is just that, quick. When I hit 130 with my three practice darts I took a psycholigical boost over Michael.

But when the arrows started to fly, he was soon down on a double finish, while I was chasing with three figures.

However, we both ended up on double-one and the game was dragging on, so I suggested nearest the bull to settle it.

On the oche first, I sunk the tungsten tip right in the bullseye. Again, Michael was reeling with my dart pretty much covering the red bit. That was until he went to the line and sent his dart straight in to join mine in the fifty.

These boys never give up do they. We called that a draw, with both our prides still intact.

Another place the players go to relax is the medical room, where massuers Stewart Welsh and Mark Holmes, physios Dave Galley and Derek Wright and the Doc, Mark Waller, do their stuff.

The TV in there has been showing games from the other group, and Confederations Cup matches too. The other night, I flittered between there for the Italy-Belarus game, and the basement TV room, where Sky's Martin Tyler and Andy Burton were watching the Sweden-Serbia game.

Last night was one of the trip's main team-building exercises - the quiz night. Organised by Steve Wigley, the Doc and Pat Frost the kitman played hosts and Mike, one of our video analysts, was in charge of the music round.

The boss picked the teams, and I was in team five with John Elsom from our international committee, my FA colleague Rachael as well as Mark Noble, James Milner, Fraizer Campbell and Richard Stearman.

And despite our poor team name which attracted boos from all around, The Academy of Football - Nobes was our captain and Rachael's a Hammers season ticket holder - were off to a flyer.

The picture round saw us move out in front thanks to the hawk-eyes of Milly and Nobes. But it was the music rounds that pushed us over the line. Fortunately for our team, Queen's Fat Bottom Girls and Jamiroquai's Deeper Underground are both on my ipod and some of the rubbish that booms out of the dressing room after a game helped Fraizer fill in the gaps.

So we ended up winning by four points, but all we got as a prize was a bit of Micah Richards' birthday cake, but it was nice.

The team was disappointed not to get any reward. This was just for pride though, we're here to win something else. Something much more important and it doesn't take a genius to know the answer to that one.

Don't forget! You can follow England’s campaign in the Finals with TheFA.com who will be with the team all the way in the Finals.

You'll also be able keep tabs by following us on Twitter , or become a ‘fan’ of the England Under-21s on our official Facebook page .