Beckham: Many factors in England's favour

David Beckham insists there will be “no excuses” if England fail to reach the Euro 2004 quarter-finals by securing at least a point against Croatia tonight.

Beckham accepts many factors will be in England’s favour, including the majority of the fans in the 65,000-capacity Stadium of Light, as well as the cooler temperatures for a 7.45pm kick-off.

“There is an unbelievable difference between kicking off at 5pm [as England did against the Swiss] and 7.45pm,” he admitted.

“All the players walked out for the warm-up in Coimbra and we could not believe how hot it was. We all realised then that it would be a tough game.

“But now the timing of the kick-off is right for us, the stadium is going to be great, we will have nearly all the fans there and there will be no excuses.

“Players become a lot sharper and quicker in the later kick-off time. Thankfully, if we reach the latter stages, every game will be like that for us.”