England defender Charlie Cresswell has urged his teammates to give their all on the pitch as the Young Lions prepare to take on Germany this Saturday in the Under-21 European Championship final.
Having played the entire tournament for Lee Carsley’s squad, Cresswell proved to be a formidable presence in defence as they overcame the Netherlands with a 2-1 victory, thanks to a double from Harvey Elliott.
Both Cresswell and Elliott were part of the Under-21 team that clinched the title two years ago and have now taken on prominent roles within the current 2025 squad.
This match marks Cresswell’s first final with the England team; although he was an unused substitute during the 1-0 win over Spain two years ago, he is motivated to push his teammates to secure victory once more.
Speaking to the media after the win against the Dutch, the 23-year-old stated: “If we win, we win. If we lose, we lose, but no one can fault you if you give 100%.”
“Just put everything out there and stand tall afterwards.”
England’s only scare during the match against the Netherlands came from an extraordinary long-range strike by Noah Ohio. Cresswell inadvertently played a part in that goal, as his misplaced touch allowed the Dutch striker the chance to shoot.
Fortunately, it was a late strike from Elliott that rectified the situation, but Cresswell was not one to dwell on the error.
He remarked: “The ball came to me in a bit of a funk, perhaps fatigue set in for a moment, and he rifled it in from 45 yards.”
“So, we take it on the chin and just keep doing what we’ve been doing. We pushed forward, and that’s when you rely on your forwards to come through. It turned out well.”
Cresswell’s strong leadership is rooted in his deep affection for his country.
He added: “Every time I don the England shirt, it feels like an immense privilege. I’m incredibly proud to represent my nation. For me, going out there and giving my all is the least I can do.”
This sense of pride can create additional pressure, yet Cresswell chooses to approach the final against Germany as just another match.
The Toulouse defender explained: “There’s pressure associated with wearing the England jersey, but it’s all about how you manage that pressure. Ultimately, it’s just a game of football.
“Yes, you’re playing for your country, but at the end of the day, it’s another football match. It’s crucial how you cope with that pressure both as individuals and as a team…
“We need to concentrate on ourselves because we have belief in this squad and a level of resilience that I believe is unmatched in the tournament.
“So as we head out there again on Saturday, we trust in ourselves, and I’m confident we’ll get the job done.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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