England are determined to win in Katowice after surprisingly coming away from Austria with a draw having led 2-0 with 20 minutes to go.

The team is under pressure to perform, but Owen is taking it all in his stride having become a major player for his country over the last six years.

The Real Madrid striker is one of the few players in the squad to play in Katowice before having come off the bench five years ago and he is not daunted by the Poles.

He said: "There is a long history between ourselves and Poland because we always seem to be drawn together. We know each other very well because we have played such a lot.

"We are hoping to get one over them this time. I've been here once before in my early international days. It's going to be a tough place to play in.

"But the draw against Austria hasn't made us a bad team over night. We have proved it in the past that we can mix it with the best and that we have beaten the best.

"With a bit of luck we could have had a major championship to our name by now, but we are now in another competition which we hope to do well in.

"When people criticise us it just makes us stick together. I don't need to defend Sven-Goran Eriksson's record because it speaks for itself and is there in black and white."

Click on the links below to watch a video of the full press conference with Michael Owen.

07 September 2004  
Michael Owen press conference