ENGLAND Under-19 captain Jason Steele hopes victory in the European Championships final will provide a fitting tribute to former England manager Sir Bobby Robson, who died after a long battle against cancer yesterday.
England's youngsters are on the brink of a first continental Under-19 title after their 3-1 win against France in the semi-finals on Thursday, with host nation Ukraine now all that stands between them and some overdue silverware.
News of Robson's death has cast a shadow over the squad's preparations for tomorrow night's match at the Olimpiyskyi Stadium in Donetsk, but Middlesbrough goalkeeper Steel believes the occasion will provide the ideal opportunity to honour his memory.
"He's a legend," Steele told Press Association Sport.
"If we can win the tournament tomorrow it will be a great tribute to him, and will be great for the country."
Steele concedes victory in the final will not come easily, however.
England and Ukraine met in the group stages earlier in the competition, playing out an keenly contested 2-2 draw in which neither side appeared to hold the upper hand.
England's youngsters have since hit form, though, and seven goals against Slovenia in their final group game emphatically underlined the talent at the disposal of coach Brian Eastick.
"Ukraine will have a full stadium and will be playing in front of passionate supporters," Steele continued. "But all we have to do is play our game and hopefully it will pan out for us.
"We've obviously got to be confident, we're growing and getting stronger."
Steele believes confidence in the camp is high after England's semi-final victory after extra time over France.
The result was sweet revenge for England's loss against the French in the final four years ago, and Steele revealed players are buzzing, saying: "The mood is really good, very positive.
"Even though we drew with France in normal time, we beat them quite well after extra time and that was a real confidence booster.
"We're getting better all the time and hopefully we will continue to get better in the final."
England have good reason to be confident, boasting as they do a squad that features the likes of Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck and Aston Villa forward Nathan Delfouneso, the tournament's top scorer with four goals.
"He's been doing very well," Steele said of Delfouneso, whose two extra-time goals proved the difference against a spirited French side.
"He will hopefully get the goals that will lead us to the title."
News of Robson's death has cast a shadow over the squad's preparations for tomorrow night's match at the Olimpiyskyi Stadium in Donetsk, but Middlesbrough goalkeeper Steel believes the occasion will provide the ideal opportunity to honour his memory.
"He's a legend," Steele told Press Association Sport.
"If we can win the tournament tomorrow it will be a great tribute to him, and will be great for the country."
Steele concedes victory in the final will not come easily, however.
England and Ukraine met in the group stages earlier in the competition, playing out an keenly contested 2-2 draw in which neither side appeared to hold the upper hand.
England's youngsters have since hit form, though, and seven goals against Slovenia in their final group game emphatically underlined the talent at the disposal of coach Brian Eastick.
"Ukraine will have a full stadium and will be playing in front of passionate supporters," Steele continued. "But all we have to do is play our game and hopefully it will pan out for us.
"We've obviously got to be confident, we're growing and getting stronger."
Steele believes confidence in the camp is high after England's semi-final victory after extra time over France.
The result was sweet revenge for England's loss against the French in the final four years ago, and Steele revealed players are buzzing, saying: "The mood is really good, very positive.
"Even though we drew with France in normal time, we beat them quite well after extra time and that was a real confidence booster.
"We're getting better all the time and hopefully we will continue to get better in the final."
England have good reason to be confident, boasting as they do a squad that features the likes of Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck and Aston Villa forward Nathan Delfouneso, the tournament's top scorer with four goals.
"He's been doing very well," Steele said of Delfouneso, whose two extra-time goals proved the difference against a spirited French side.
"He will hopefully get the goals that will lead us to the title."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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