'We have to make it'
Wednesday, 21 November, 2007
Peter Crouch says it's crucial that England make it to the European Championship.
England v Croatia
UEFA European Championship Qualifier
8pm, Wednesday 21 November 2007
Wembley Stadium
Live on BBC
Peter Crouch says that it is hugely important that England qualify for the European Championship next summer, and believes that if they do they could do well in Austria and Switzerland.
Speaking exclusively to TheFA.com, Crouch admitted: "It's massive having England at major finals, even if I wasn't involved in the setup as a fan in the summer you want to sit down and watch England playing tournament football.
"When you look at the players we have in this squad, I really believe if we qualified we could do well out there."
Against Croatia on Wednesday evening, Crouch will be eager to score his first goal at a ground he grew up visiting.
"It's fantastic playing for England at Wembley," Crouch revealed. "I grew up not far from there so when I was growing up I got the chance to watch a lot of games.
"The new stadium is absolutely unreal, it's moved on a level certainly since the new stadium opened. It's a fantastic arena to play in and hopefully there will be some great nights to come.
"I remember watching a couple of FA Cup finals at the old Wembley, and I went to the European Cup Final between Barcelona and Sampdoria. That was incredible, and I remember as a kid just thinking how much prestige around the stadium even before the games started.
"It would mean a lot to score there, whether that is for England or my club at a final. It would mean so much, it's the home of football and to say you have scored there would be incredible."