England Under-21 captain, Mark Noble, says he would love to lift the trophy after Monday’s final with Germany in Malmo. The West Ham midfielder said: “That would be unbelievable I would love to do that, but we’ve got to win first and that’s the main thing.”
Despite taking an early lead against and increasing their advantage to three goals by half-time England crumbled in the second half of their semi-final against Sweden conceding three goals in twelve minutes - taking the match into extra-time and then penalties. The 22 year-old was taken off after 70 minutes with England leading 3-1.
Noble said: “We started really brightly, we have done the last couple of games, getting an early goal settles you down, and we got two more and we were cruising at the time. But obviously we got a bit complacent in the second half. But we dug in and went though extra-time and now we’re in the final, and no-one else cares about that game now.”
Noble watched on from the sidelines as his team-mates held on to force penalties, and he admitted that it was harder to watch than it would have been to take one. “It was worse standing there watching, obviously you’ve got good friends taking penalties and you dread it if they miss,” he said.
If previous encounters between the two countries are anything to go by, penalties may again decide England’s fate against Germany. If the penalties are as successful as they were against Sweden, Noble will be lifting the trophy - and then he will be able to believe it.
Photo Credit: Jonny Payne
England Under-21 captain, Mark Noble, says he would love to lift the trophy after Monday’s final with Germany in Malmo.
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