However, in the space of a fortnight earlier this year, England U19s’ Patrick Roberts played a part in two finals which had starkly contrasting outcomes for the 17-year-old.
The Fulham forward saw his side defeated in a dramatic FA Youth Cup Final 7-6 on aggregate by Chelsea before the youngster tasted international glory just 15 days later winning the UEFA U17s Championship with England.
Germany v England
U19 International
5pm GMT Monday 8 September 2014
Stadion Niederrhein
Oberhausen, Germany
It would be easy to jump to the assumption that one will live long in Roberts’ memory while the other will be quickly forgotten but the he says both experiences taught him important lessons which will stand him in good stead.
"I’ve tasted both winning and losing a cup final in the space of two weeks and it makes you think about what it feels like to lose and what it feels like to win," the teenager told TheFA.com.
"Believe me, you want to be on that winning side.
"It’s good for you because it means when you go into your next final you know what both feel like.
"If you want to win then you can win and if you don’t then you can lose but I know I don’t want to lose."
Roberts was one of three players promoted from the U17s’ European Championship winning side into the U19s squad.
And the Fulham man says the faith coaches at both domestic and international level continue to show in him has his confidence at an all-time high.
"Steve Wigley, Felix Magath and John Peacock have all shown great faith and belief in me," said Roberts.
"Your confidence goes sky high because they obviously believe in you and that makes you believe in yourself a bit more.
"Football is all about confidence and if you’ve got it you can be a world beater."
Adding to the self-belief flowing through Roberts’ veins is the goalscoring record he held for the U17s which he nods knowingly at when reminded it worked out at a goal every other game.
“Football is all about confidence and if you’ve got it you can be a world beater”
Patrick Roberts England U19s
But he is fully aware there’s a fresh challenge in front of him now he's stepped into the U19s set-up as they prepare to meet Germany on Monday.
"I’d love to get a goal and get off to a good start," he told us.
"Germany v England is always one of the biggest games in international football.
"It’s a great place to start against good opposition."
