DESPITE a brave performance from Mark Noble and his England
Under-19 team-mates, the Young Lions went down 3-1 to France in the
Final of the UEFA European Under-19 Championships in Belfast.
Mark played the full 90 minutes as England took the lead through
Lee Holmes just before half-time. But a magnificent second-half
comeback from the French put pay to England's dreams of winning
the competition for the first time since 1993.
Mark will now return to Chadwell Heath and join up with his Hammers
team-mates on Monday for the final two weeks of the pre-season
campaign as the 18-year-old looks forward to making his Premier
League debut.
"I can't wait for the season to start," he beamed.
"Ever since we won the Play-offs I've been looking forward
to that first game of the Premiership season. It isn't far away
now and I'm really buzzing about the start of the
season."
Noble Plays As England Lose In Final
30th July 2005