Defender can't wait to get started in the European Championship Finals.

By Nicholas Veevers in Novi Sad.

England defender Adam Jackson is hoping the Young Lions can take their form from the Elite Qualifying Round into this week’s European Championship Finals in Serbia.

John Peacock’s team won three games out of three in Belgium in March, knocking out one of the competition favourites Spain in the process and the squad are now in Novi Sad preparing for Tuesday’s opener with France.

Middlesbrough starlet Jackson has been a regular throughout the campaign and admits he's been pleased with the programme so far, since meeting up with the squad last Wednesday in England before travelling to Serbia on Saturday.

“It’s gone really well so far,” he said. “We’re in a nice hotel and it’s a nice place so we’re enjoying being here.

“It’s really exciting for all of us and we’re all raring to go against France now. We can hopefully win that game and then push on over the rest of the week.

“It doesn’t get much better than the three wins out of three that we got in the last qualifying round so we want to carry that on, win the next game and then the one after that.”

With largely the same players here which successfully came through the qualifiers in Belgium, there is a real feel of togetherness and familiarity in the squad and Jackson believes that can only be a help for the team over the course of the next week or so, which also sees England face Denmark and the host nation in Group A.

“It’s been a great year for us,” added the central defender.

“I’ve never experienced this much international football in a season. It’s a change to get away from the club and come away with the other lads and play for your country.

“The consistency in the squad helps, we all get along with each other and we know how we all play so that helps the team out when you know what everyone’s going to do on the pitch. It’s just good for the team.”

However, Jackson knows that England will be tested to the limit on Tuesday when they line-up against France, a nation who are regular contenders at the business end of competitions in Europe.

“France will be a big challenge for us and a tough first game,” he acknowledged. “They’re a good footballing nation and will be very strong.

“We need to make sure we defend well and we know that we have the attacking ability to score goals, so we just can’t wait to get started now.”