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Woodman Eyeing More Euro Glory
Written by Newcastle Utd
Freddie Woodman believes teams will "fear" England as they fly out to Germany for the European Under-19 Championships
By Tom Easterby - Newcastle United Club Reporter
England under-19 goalkeeper Freddie Woodman believes teams will "fear" the Young Lions this summer as they kick off their push for glory at the European Under-19 Championships on Tuesday.
The tournament in Germany began on Monday, 11th July, with England set to face France in Heidenheim this evening before further clashes with Croatia and Holland in Group B.
Woodman, along with fellow Magpie Adam Armstrong, was part of Aidy Boothroyd's side who beat Spain 2-0 in March to book their place at the finals, with Armstrong coming off the bench to bag England's second.
And Woodman believes that their big-game temperament and team spirit within the camp can make them a force to be reckoned with in Germany this summer.
"We've got to go there with the mentality that we can win it. A lot of people will see our team and be frightened of us," he told nufc.co.uk.
"We do turn up for the big games and we've got a lot of players who have played in the league in every position.
"I think the most important thing is we're the closest bunch of lads I've ever been involved with as a team. I don't think you'll find a better team out there - everything's done right.
"Training's good, we prepare right and as soon as we get to the game, we're in game mode and switched on to get the job done."
Woodman - who will go to the tournament as Boothroyd's first choice custodian - lifted the European Under-17 Championship trophy back in 2014.
A number of the players who won that tournament, excluding Armstrong who is recovering from injury, are out in Germany this summer.
And London-born Woodman reckons he and his teammates will go into the finals as favourites to repeat their heroics of 2014.
"We've got to go there and say we can win it. People are going to fear us. We've got to stay a little bit humble, but also go there with the presence; this is our title, and we've got to regain it," he said.
"This time, coming into this tournament, we're favourites, and I don't think last time we were favourites - we just went out, played and hoped for the best, and somehow we won it.
"But it'll be interesting to see what happens. I can't wait to get out there and get back playing football matches."