Cresswell says England’s ‘belief and resilience’ can win them the U21 Euros | OneFootball

Charlie Cresswell says England’s “belief and resilience” can win them the Under-21 European Championship.

The Toulouse defender has played every minute in England Under-21s’ Euros campaign so far, helping them to reach the final where they will face Germany, after beating Netherlands in the semi-finals.

And with the national team forming a huge part of his childhood, Cresswell says he relishes the opportunity to play for his country.

“I know for sure I was brought up and England was always a massive part of my childhood,” he said. “I’d go to the local pub and I’d be watching the first team with all my mates, my dad’s mates, and it’d be a big deal, so for me, every time I put on an England shirt, I feel nothing but an honour, it feels like a huge honour.

“I’m immensely proud that I get to do this, so for me to go out there and give my everything, it’s the least I can do,” the 22-year-old said.

Reflecting on watching the senior team exit tournaments at the final hurdle, he recalls: “I’m in the pub and I’ve got my dad’s mates all crying in the pub and I’m sat there thinking, oh no.

“But it’s what it’s meant to be, it’s the sport we love and the country we’re from, so it’s supposed to be like that.”

Cresswell says preparations for the final on Saturday evening will be no different to any other game that they have played in the tournament, and believes his side’s resilience can get them over the line.

“[It’s] no different,” he said. “We just treat every game the same. I know it’s going to be a bit harder considering it is a final, but we’ve just got to look at it as another game.

“We’ve got to focus on ourselves because we’ve got a belief in this team and a resilience like I don’t think anyone else in the tournament. So for us to go out there again on Saturday, no matter who it is, we’ve got to put our belief in ourselves and I’m sure we’ll get the job done.”