Delfouneso looks back
Monday, 03 August, 2009
Golden boot winner Nathan Delfouneso reflects on the tournament.
Nicholas Veevers in Donetsk
England striker Nathan Delfouneso brought back one trophy from the Olimpiyiskyi Stadium on Sunday, but it wasn’t the one he wanted.
The 18-year-old’s four goals in the competition saw him land the Golden Boot, but it was little consolation following defeat to hosts Ukraine.
“It’s good for me to win the top goalscorer but it was more about the group today and we just didn’t get going,” he said.
“I think it could’ve been a mixture of things but it just wasn’t our day.
“It was very hot, and even when we went for our walk before the game it was very warm so we knew what to expect there.
“Overall though, it just wasn’t our day.”
Delfouneso, who can still play for the U19s in next year’s competition, believes that the whole squad will head back to England on Monday having benefited from their experience here though and that is a major part of development football.
“We just need to keep our heads up now because we’ve done well to get this far,” added the Aston Villa man.
“It’s a good education and part of our learning curve for our career.
“We’ve played against different cultures and different teams, in front of different crowds and I thought there was a great crowd here for the final.”
Despite still being young enough to feature for the U19s for another 12 months, Defouneso is also hoping to keep climbing the international ladder as well as make an impact at Villa Park.
“I’d like to continue playing for England, as you get older and up to the Under-21s,” he said.
“That’s my aim but for now I want to go back to Aston Villa, work hard, start the season and try and get in the team.
“Whatever comes next with England, that’s up for the coaches to decide.”