After defeating highly-rated Spain on Thursday, Pearce's youngsters reached the last four but there is a sense in the camp that alone will not be good enough.

They face Germany on Monday in a match a patriot like Pearce cannot contemplate losing, then there will be the psychological hurdle of getting into the final after falling at the semi-final stage in 2007.

"It's a million miles from being a success at the moment," Pearce said.

"Firstly, England against Germany is a massive match and we are going to attempt to win. Every time those two countries play there is a lot on it.

"You get judged on whether you win, lose or draw when you wear your international jersey. I don't know if I will rest players.

"In these tournaments, if you take take your foot off the gas for one moment it's fatal. You never pick up the tempo again.

"I've seen it before and it won't happen here."

Pearce dropped Theo Walcott for the Spain game, bringing him on just before the goals started going in, with the Arsenal winger setting up the second.

"We feel we have pace and power in our squad," Pearce said. "Look at Fraizer Campbell as well. Gabby Agbonlahor, Adam Johnson, Theo definitely, Milly (James Milner).

"We've got pace on the counter-attack, and the modern game is about the counter-attack.

"We also have a strong mentality. We've got guts in abundance but have to pass the ball a bit better."

Pearce admits the Spanish are technically better than his team, even if they got the result they wanted in Gothenburg.

"The Spanish keep the ball better than we do," Pearce said. "I'd be stupid to say technically we are level. We have to learn to keep the ball.

"A lot of that is also game management and knowing when to do and in what areas of the pitch.

"The Spanish are a little bit cuter at varying the level of game management. Technically they are a little bit ahead of us and that is something we have to learn.

"There are certain things we do better than other nations. We can't lose sight of that and have to couple the two together. WE have to improve on that side of it which is keeping the ball and not running the tanks down."

As well as dropping Walcott, Pearce also handed the captaincy to Mark Noble, despite Nedum Onuoha being vice-skipper to Steven Taylor during qualification.

"It's about consistency and continuity," Onuoha said. "Mark did an excellent job in the first game and rightly deserved to get it in the second."

The Germany game is also the first time the two countries have met at Under-21 level since the 2007 qualification play-off when a player was accused of racially abusing Micah Richards and Anton Ferdinand.

Richards said: "I wouldn't say we can be relaxed even though we are qualified."

Fraizer Campbell, who scored the opener against Spain, feels the rivalry between the countries can be felt even at younger age groups.

Campbell added: "There is a massive rivalry between us and Germany. I don't think the game will lack any bite just because we are through. It will be a good game."