JACOB RAMSEY hoped the humility of this England side meant it would be different this time round at the Under-21 Euros.
And after theAston Villaman’s composed finish helped the Young Lions finally see off their opening-night jitters, maybe it just might be.
5Jacob Ramsey scored the opener for EnglandCredit: EPA
5Before Emile Smith Rowe tapped home England’s last-gasp secondCredit: Getty
Before tonight in Batumi, the dazzling Georgian city on the east coast of the Black Sea,Englandhad not won an opening game of theEurossince 2009.
It was so long ago thatMicah Richardsand Lee Cattermole scored the goals in a 2-1 win overFinlandfor Stuart Pearce’s side inSweden.
Fabrice Muamba, Gabby Agbonlahor andTheo Walcott- back with the Young Lions three years on from his shock World Cup inclusion bySven Goran Eriksson- all started.
Six other group-openers – including one managed byGareth Southgate- had come and gone since then without victory.