"We can't wait to get started"
Jamie Bradbury
Sunday, 14 June, 2009
The England team are relaxed and excited according to Craig Gardner
Click here to watch the video from the press conference
Craig Gardner says that he and his England team mates can’t wait for the European Championship to begin.
England meet Finland in Halmstad on Monday night and the excitement is building within the camp after nearly two weeks together in preparation.
And the Aston Villa man, who scored in the Three Lions 7-0 win over Azerbaijan last week, revealed that the team whole team hope to go further than Stuart Pearce’s side did in the Netherlands two years ago.
“Of course we’re excited but everybody is relaxed as well and we just can’t wait to get out there now and really wish the game was today,” he said.
“The mood in the camp is excellent, all the lads are buzzing and we’re a really close team. “The gaffer showed us videos of 2007 and we have taken everything on board. We’ve watched the games, watched the shoot-out and have practised penalties every day in training. The lads that have played in the tournament before are here again and have told us what a massive tournament it is.”
But despite their desire to win the tournament, England know it will take a lot of hard work and they must take it one step at a time.
An eager Finnish side, taking part in their first European Under-21 Championship, will offer a serious threat as both teams look to get off to a good start with Spain and Germany on the fixture list after.
“We’re not looking at the minute to win it, we just want to get past the Finland game and take it from there. They finished top of their group, and we have taken everything on board and watched videos of them.
“It’s going to be a tough game, it’s in Scandinavia and they’ll have a massive following.“ Gardner added: “Team spirit is massive. Every single player gets on with each other.
“It’s a massive tournament, we’re the only team now playing so whole of England will be watching us. Everybody in the squad is relaxed about that spirits and confidence and high and we just want to get out there and play.
“Obviously we’re not taking the game lightly, we know what they’ve got and what they can do so we’re going to go out there and as soon as that whistle goes we’ll be going for it.”
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 .