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Chris Smalling: 'This is England's chance'

England defender Chris Smalling says that the excitement in the squad is building ahead of Euro 2016 and urges his teammates to seize their chance to win the tournament.

England defender Chris Smalling has urged his teammates to seize their chance at Euro 2016 this summer.

The Three Lions will travel to France looking to end a 50-year wait for international honours having been the only team to qualify for the tournament with a 100% record.

They will kick off their campaign against Russia on Saturday, and Smalling revealed that the excitement amongst the squad is building.

"We're all of the mindset that this is our chance. It's time to seize it. There are quite a few players who have not been in France or at a major tournament before and I think it's a case of enjoying the time we are together," he told reporters.

"We have lots of things to do in the afternoon, be it games or just playing off each other, just enjoying the moment because not many people get the chance to come to major tournaments. The facilities are brilliant where we are now, so it's just about enjoying it and taking that out on the pitch.

"Each day it gets closer and closer, that build up of excitement, it's just drawing near. When you join up you think you've got quite a few days until the game but it does creep up on you and it's that excitement. When you start to get those nerves creeping in and start to do a few more meetings on the way Russia play etc, then we'll be fully ready."

England will also face Wales and Slovakia in Group B.

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Chris Smalling of England celebrates as he scores against Portugal at Wembley Stadium on June 2, 2016
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