Post by Taxigirl on Jun 20, 2004 9:41:31 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2004/england/3822709.stm
By Phil McNulty
Our man with England
England captain David Beckham admits defeat and a Euro 2004 exit against Croatia on Monday is "unthinkable".
Sven-Goran Eriksson's side only need a draw to reach the last eight, but know defeat would send them crashing out at the group stage.
Beckham said: "We can't even think about defeat. It is unthinkable we should go out at this stage with the squad and the players we've got.
"We must go into it wanting to win. We can't think about getting a draw."
He added: "The team are getting more confident as each game comes."
Beckham also delivered advice for Euro 2004's new superstar, Everton's 18-year-old Wayne Rooney, insisting he should chase footballing happiness rather than riches.
He said: "Wayne is definitely a special player as, to be 18 and playing like he is, he's a very special talent.
"As long as he's looked after by his club and he has a strong family behind him, then he'll be around for a long time."
Beckham also insisted Rooney should not rush to quit Everton, despite being linked with a £45m move after the tournament.
"I think it's sensible for him to stay where he's happy. If that's at Everton, then so be it," added Beckham.
"He's only 18 and as long as he's at a club that will look after him and what is most important for him, that's what he should do.
"We all earn good money and everyone knows that, but the most important thing to us is football. We'd all play for free.
"That's what it all means to us lot and what it means to Wayne. He loves going out there and playing football, just like all of us."
Beckham is also confident that Rooney's strike partner Michael Owen will produce the goods, despite two goalless games.
He said: "Michael has been doing it at the top level for so many years now and he's still young.
"When he gets a goal, then hopefully they will all come as it's all about confidence.
"He got a lot of confidence from setting up Wayne the other day and hopefully that will boost him to get his first goal.
"I've got full faith in Michael Owen."
By Phil McNulty
Our man with England
England captain David Beckham admits defeat and a Euro 2004 exit against Croatia on Monday is "unthinkable".
Sven-Goran Eriksson's side only need a draw to reach the last eight, but know defeat would send them crashing out at the group stage.
Beckham said: "We can't even think about defeat. It is unthinkable we should go out at this stage with the squad and the players we've got.
"We must go into it wanting to win. We can't think about getting a draw."
He added: "The team are getting more confident as each game comes."
Beckham also delivered advice for Euro 2004's new superstar, Everton's 18-year-old Wayne Rooney, insisting he should chase footballing happiness rather than riches.
He said: "Wayne is definitely a special player as, to be 18 and playing like he is, he's a very special talent.
"As long as he's looked after by his club and he has a strong family behind him, then he'll be around for a long time."
Beckham also insisted Rooney should not rush to quit Everton, despite being linked with a £45m move after the tournament.
"I think it's sensible for him to stay where he's happy. If that's at Everton, then so be it," added Beckham.
"He's only 18 and as long as he's at a club that will look after him and what is most important for him, that's what he should do.
"We all earn good money and everyone knows that, but the most important thing to us is football. We'd all play for free.
"That's what it all means to us lot and what it means to Wayne. He loves going out there and playing football, just like all of us."
Beckham is also confident that Rooney's strike partner Michael Owen will produce the goods, despite two goalless games.
He said: "Michael has been doing it at the top level for so many years now and he's still young.
"When he gets a goal, then hopefully they will all come as it's all about confidence.
"He got a lot of confidence from setting up Wayne the other day and hopefully that will boost him to get his first goal.
"I've got full faith in Michael Owen."