Intro:

England train and talk ahead of quarter final against Italy on Sunday (June 24).

Script:

Roy Hodgson's installation as England coach a month before the European Championship appeared to be a major gamble.

Now it seems like a canny move.

Those who questioned the English Football Association for delaying the replacement of Fabio Capello for three months have gone very quiet.

England trained at their base in Krakow on Friday (June 22), before heading to Kiev where they will play against the Azzurri on Sunday.

Captain Steven Gerrard, the catalyst in central midfield, has created three of England's five goals alongside the combative Scott Parker, who has tirelessly protected the back four.

Defender Glen Johnson says England's new style is not too dissimilar to the traditional Italian teams.

SOUNDBITE (English) England defender Glen Johnson

(Asked about whether England has adopted a football reminiscent of the style of Italian teams):

"Yes, I think you can say that I think we defend well as a team, and we've got some fast players who are dangerous on the counter-attack and can hurt most teams, so I agree with you".

England have exceeded expectations so far, but on Sunday Roy Hodgson will face his biggest test yet against a stubborn Italy in the quarter-finals at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev.