The England captain admitted he struggled for his best form at the championships where the team lost to Portugal on penalties in the Quarter Finals.

Ukraine are England's first opposition of the season and Beckham feels the friendly will provide a good test before their World Cup Qualifying campaign begins next month.

He said: "This is a new chapter for the team now. We were all disappointed to be knocked out of Euro 2004, but now we have to qualify for the World Cup.

"I think I played four average games out there, but I think everyone is over what happened and now we are looking to the future.

"Friendlies like these prepare us for the big qualification games. We want to put on a good show and it's always important to get a win."

Beckham is confident striker Michael Owen will become a better player now that he has joined him at Real Madrid.

Owen completed an £8m switch to the Bernabeu last week and Beckham says England will benefit.

He added: "We are good mates and he is a great player. He has gone to Madrid to try something new and good luck to him.

"Playing for a club like Madrid improves everyone. Whatever the player or how big a name you are, if you don't perform you don't play.

"Being at Real has improved me as a player and the first six months of last season was probably the best of my career."

16 August 2004    
David Beckham Press Conference - AUDIO