Published 01 July 2022 4 min read
Men's U19
England MU19s trio react to EURO title victory
MU19s head coach Ian Foster and goalscorers Carney Chukwuemeka and Aaron Ramsey react to U19 EURO title win
As England MU19s were crowned as European champions on Friday evening, head coach Ian Foster paid tribute to his squad.
The Young Lions boss oversaw the group through two qualifying rounds to reach the U19 EURO Finals in Slovakia, where England won all five of their games including the 3-1 extra-time victory over Israel in the Final.
And Foster says this squad is “the most together” that he’s seen in his time with the national teams.
“I’m just delighted, the players have worked really, really hard and it wasn’t an easy game against tough opposition,” said Foster.
“I’m just thrilled to win the trophy and the boys are just delighted to be European champions.
The Young Lions boss oversaw the group through two qualifying rounds to reach the U19 EURO Finals in Slovakia, where England won all five of their games including the 3-1 extra-time victory over Israel in the Final.
And Foster says this squad is “the most together” that he’s seen in his time with the national teams.
“I’m just delighted, the players have worked really, really hard and it wasn’t an easy game against tough opposition,” said Foster.
“I’m just thrilled to win the trophy and the boys are just delighted to be European champions.
“We got a sense how much it meant to them in March when they qualified, because this group missed out on their U17s EUROs because of COVID.
“But to get here, and my job is difficult because I can only pick so many players, but the ones we picked were desperate to come and you can see they love playing for England - we should be so proud of them.
“It takes time to get that spirit and togetherness which they’ve got. It helps you cope with anything and the amount of support they give each other, the camaraderie in the group, it’s probably the most together that I’ve seen a group.”
And that messaged was backed up by two of Friday’s extra-time goalscorers, Carney Chukwuemeka and Aaron Ramsey.
The game was locked at 1-1 and in the second half of extra time when Chukwuemeka chested England ahead before Ramsey sealed the win with a killer third just four minutes from time.
“I’m buzzing, absolutely buzzing!” said Chukwuemeka.
“But to get here, and my job is difficult because I can only pick so many players, but the ones we picked were desperate to come and you can see they love playing for England - we should be so proud of them.
“It takes time to get that spirit and togetherness which they’ve got. It helps you cope with anything and the amount of support they give each other, the camaraderie in the group, it’s probably the most together that I’ve seen a group.”
And that messaged was backed up by two of Friday’s extra-time goalscorers, Carney Chukwuemeka and Aaron Ramsey.
The game was locked at 1-1 and in the second half of extra time when Chukwuemeka chested England ahead before Ramsey sealed the win with a killer third just four minutes from time.
“I’m buzzing, absolutely buzzing!” said Chukwuemeka.
02 Jul 2022
3:00
Highlights: England MU19s 3-1 Israel
Watch the goals as the Young Lions are crowned as U19 EURO champions for 2022
“It’s an emotional feeling and I didn’t really know what to do [after he scored], the adrenalin kicked in and I was just running and celebrating.
“But it’s just important we got the win and the trophy, you dream of times like this and I just want to celebrate now with the boys and enjoy it while it lasts.
“We’re a very close group and we have been since last September and the very first camp so we feel that bond now and it shows on and off the pitch.”
And his Aston Villa teammate Ramsey believes this title can give the group, and other England teams, the confidence to go out and add more in the years to come.
“It means everything, I’ve been in the England set-up since I was like 16 so all of that hard work we did through the training camp to now, winning something,” he added.
“We missed out on a competition at U17s because of COVID so to win it now, I don’t think many players can say that.
“I think it’s only the start for England because for many times we will win trophies like this, it’s been happening for a few years but I think it’s time to start kicking on now.”
“But it’s just important we got the win and the trophy, you dream of times like this and I just want to celebrate now with the boys and enjoy it while it lasts.
“We’re a very close group and we have been since last September and the very first camp so we feel that bond now and it shows on and off the pitch.”
And his Aston Villa teammate Ramsey believes this title can give the group, and other England teams, the confidence to go out and add more in the years to come.
“It means everything, I’ve been in the England set-up since I was like 16 so all of that hard work we did through the training camp to now, winning something,” he added.
“We missed out on a competition at U17s because of COVID so to win it now, I don’t think many players can say that.
“I think it’s only the start for England because for many times we will win trophies like this, it’s been happening for a few years but I think it’s time to start kicking on now.”
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