Chelsea defender Levi Colwill says he is dreaming of winning his first silverware as a player at the European U21 Championship.
In a lively opener against the Czech Republic in Batumi, Georgia on Thursday, England sealed a 2-0 win courtesy of second-half strikes from Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey and Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal. England face Israel in their second Group C game on Sunday, and Gareth Southgate will be in attendance in Kutaisi.
Colwill, who impressed this season on loan from Chelsea at Brighton, started at centre-back against the Czech Republic despite joining the squad late having trained with the senior England side over the past week.
“I really enjoyed training with the seniors”, Colwill said. “I learned so much, but I always had this tournament in the back of my mind. It’s such a big thing for me because I haven’t won a trophy in my professional career yet. This would be the best way to start, and hopefully do well.
“When you see the top pros at Brighton and at the [England] seniors, their levels are so high. It drives me to be regarded as a great player like they are.”
England U21s manager Lee Carsley said: “It was important that we got off to a really good start. Getting the win in the first game is always so important. We were aware of the record from the past.”
It was the first time England had won their U21 Euros opener since 2009, when they reached the final with a team featuring James Milner, Micah Richards and Theo Walcott.
Carsley added: “I thought it was important that we started the first game with players that have been playing a lot for their clubs, especially towards the end of the season. We felt that it would help us and it did.”
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones said: “It’s the perfect way to start. We’ve got a team that ability-wise and talent-wise is one of the best I’ve seen.”
After Sunday’s match against Israel, Group C’s early leaders England meet defending champions Germany on Wednesday in Batumi.
