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'Hard work paid off' - Defoe delighted to make Euro 2012 squad
Posted Friday, May 18, 2012 by Goal.com

'Hard work paid off' - Defoe delighted to make Euro 2012 squad

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe is “delighted” to make England's Euro 2012 squad despite not being a regular starter for his club this season.

Despite playing back-up to Emanuel Adebayor and Rafael van der Vaart for the majority of the campaign, the diminutive striker plundered an impressive 11 Premier League goals in just 11 starts.

The 29-year-old has put down his impressive goalscoring record this season to extra training that he put in last pre-season, on the recommendation of good friend, and former Arsenal striker, Ian Wright.

"I'm delighted because I knew last summer I had a massive season coming up,” Defoe told Tottenham’s official website.

“I worked hard on my fitness to be as sharp as possible and I think that work has paid off."

Defoe was a part of the England squad that failed under Fabio Capello in the World Cup 2010 in South Africa, but the tournament in Poland and the Ukraine will be his first experience of a European Championships.

"I thought the 2010 World Cup was a fantastic experience and to have the opportunity to represent England at another major tournament is amazing," Defoe added.

"I always remember watching the tournaments on TV, watching Euro 96 and to be part of it now is something special."

Standings
    Rank Team W/D/L Pts

    Cities & Stadiums

    The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments

    Year Winners Runner-up Third place
    2008SpainGermanyRussia / Turkey
    2004GreecePortugalNetherlands / Czech Republic
    2000FranceItalyNetherlands / Portugal
    1996GermanyCzech RepublicFrance / England
    1992DenmarkGermanyNetherlands / Sweden
    1988NetherlandsSoviet UnionItaly / West Germany
    1984FranceSpainDenmark / Portugal
    1980West GermanyBelgiumCzechoslovakia
    1976CzechoslovakiaWest GermanyNetherlands
    1972West GermanySoviet UnionBelgium
    1968ItalyYugoslaviaEngland
    1964SpainSoviet UnionHungary
    1960Soviet UnionYugoslaviaCzechoslovakia