West Ham United goalkeeper Nathan Trott is aiming to become the ninth Hammer to win the UEFA European U19 Championship with England.
The Young Lions booked their place in the final with a 1-0 win over Czech Republic on Wednesday and will take on fellow Hammer Domingos Quina’s Portugal – who beat the Netherlands – in Georgia on Saturday evening.
Trott has yet to feature in the tournament, as he has played the role of back-up to AFC Bournemouth stopper Aaron Ramsdale, but he is relishing being part of the squad which has a chance to be crowned champions of Europe.
“It’s always a great feeling to have such success and be part of one of the best teams in Europe so now we want to make that final step,” said the 18-year-old, who will follow in the footsteps of John Sissons, John Charles, Martin Britt, Harry Redknapp, John Ayris, Kevin Lock, Alan Curbishley and Paul Allen should England triumph.
It’s always a great feeling to have such success and be part of one of the best teams in Europe so now we want to make that final step
Nathan Trott
“Hopefully we can go all the way and become champions. The journey has been great for us all so far, and we’ve been really focused in everything that we’ve done.
“We’ve had our minds on one thing and one aim throughout and that was to go all the way in Georgia and win. That’s still the aim and what we want to do on Saturday.
“The atmosphere has been really good in the camp, and everyone is always enjoying themselves and working really hard and pushing each other. We’re ready.”
West Ham youngsters have starred in previous finals, with winger Sissons scoring in victories over Northern Ireland and Spain in 1963 and 1964 respectively, Ayris netting in the 1971 win over Portugal and Allen doing likewise in the 1980 success against Poland.
Unlike previous finals, however, Trott will face a fellow Hammer in the final in the shape of attacker and friend Quina, who has started all four matches for Portugal.
“I’ve spoken to Dom a number of times throughout the tournament,” Trott continued. “He’s doing really well in the tournament personally, obviously as are his team.
“He’s in great spirits. It’s always weird playing against one of your Club teammates internationally, but it doesn’t change my feeling towards wanting to win!”
The final, which is being played in Gori and kicks off at 5pm BST, will be broadcast live on British Eurosport 1.