Holland

v

England

 

 

2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Abe Lenstra Stadion, Heerenveen
5.15pm (BST), Wednesday 20 June 2007
Live on Sky Sports
Match details

James Milner says that England are over the first part of their UEFA Under-21 Championship challenge and hopes that the team are starting to peak as they reach the business end of the tournament.

The Newcastle United midfielder, who collected the Man of the Match award for his performance against Serbia on Sunday, feels that England have the ability to go all the way as they prepare to meet hosts Holland.

And despite being one of eight players in the Three Lions squad with a yellow card against their name, Milner says they will be going into the game as commited as ever with the Final just one win away.

"It’s been a tough group, but we’ve got out of it, mission accomplished," said the 21-year-old. 

"I don’t think we’ve played our best football yet, which could be a good thing, but hopefully we can start peaking towards the end of the tournament. If we play our best football I think we’ve got as good a chance as anybody.

"We’ve got a massive squad of top quality players and whoever gets the chance to go out there and play. It’s not going to affect anybody if they have a yellow card hanging over them, we’re going to go out there and give our all and hopefully get the job done and get into the Final."

Milner is set to make his 28th appearance for the Under-21s and was also part of the side that beat Holland in Alkmaar last November, courtesy of Justin Hoyte's first-half winner.

However, he is expecting a different challenge tonight with a place in Saturday's Groningen Final up for grabs for the winner.

"Though we have beaten them before this is completely different circumstances. We know their strengths, we know their weaknesses, we’ve done our homework and will go into the game fully prepared," said Milner.

"It’s a massive honour to be out here representing England and playing in this Championship. Holland is a massive team and a well known football nation.

He added: "Every team who was in this tournament was obviously going to be a good team.

"We know what quality we have in our squad and we know we can go all the way. We’ll go out their and give it everything we got and I’m sure we’ll do well."