Ward-Prowse inspired for Czech challenge with England

The England Under-21s and Southampton midfielder bumped into Bayern Munich and former Liverpool and Real Madrid star Xabi Alonso on a short break in Spain last month.

And shortly after posting a photo with the World Cup winner on social media, the 20-year-old reported for Young Lions' Euro preparations with an extra spring in his step.

"I was walking to dinner in Spain one night and saw him, so I got my girlfriend to take a picture with him," revealed Ward-Prowse.

"He was an idol growing up and even when you play in the Premier League, you still look up to people like that.

"He was a great role model growing up, so it was good to see him and he gave me a bit of advice.

"I explained I was at Southampton and I obviously knew who he was but I was like a little kid again.

Nice little break before meeting up with the @england 21s, even bumped into this guy last night. #Legend 👏🙌 pic.twitter.com/mt9PQa9XCg

— James Ward-Prowse (@Prowsey16) May 31, 2015

"To be in the presence of someone who has won everything and played on the biggest stage, it was great to see him.

"His range of passing was great and along with Steven Gerrard in the Liverpool midfield, those two were at the top of their game at that time and were the people that I did idolise."

Ward-Prowse was not star-struck for long though, with his attentions now firmly focused back on this summer’s challenge for glory in Czech Republic.

The Three Lions squad arrived at their base in Olomouc on Sunday and have been hard at work on the training pitch ahead of Thursday’s opener with Portugal in Uherske Hradiste.

And Ward-Prowse says Gareth Southgate and his squad mean business as they bid to end their first Euro campaign under the head coach with success.

Ward-Prowse took part in a small match with pupils at Heyrovskeho School in Olomouc on Tuesday

"We’re really up for it, all the lads are really determined to do well this summer," he added. 

"We know the previous tournaments haven’t gone our way but we’re determined as a group of players to make sure that we change that perception.

"With the mentality of the players that we’ve got, that stands us in good stead.

"We’ve had great preparation leading up to the tournament and the group of players we’ve got together is set up ideally to go and win the tournament.

"We’re not here just to take part, we’re here to win the tournament."

Thursday’s opponents will be seen as one of the favourites for success in the Finals and last year’s 3-1 victory over them at Turf Moor remains relatively fresh in the memory.

Ward-Prowse missed that game through injury, but feels confident England have a good chance of starting their campaign with a win.

"Going into the game, we’re very confident knowing that we have beaten them before but I think they’ve brought in a few more players and there’s no easy games international football," he explained.

Ward-Prowse celebrates his winning goal against Germany in March

"We’ve all found that out, so we’re determined to make sure we get off to a good start.

"We’ve done our homework on them, we’ve played them before so we know what they’re about and as long as we make sure that our mentality and our game is right then we have a good chance to win."

Southgate spoke on the squad’s arrival in Olomouc that he wants a relaxed environment for the players throughout the competition.

The squad stayed here in March to start an early acclimatisation to their surroundings and everyone involved has been given the freedom to use their down-time by going out and visiting the city centre.

And that’s something which Ward-Prowse believes has been beneficial to the group.

"For us, we’ve been allowed our freedom and it’s great to be given that by the manager," he said.

"The manager has done very well getting the group that he has got and he’s given us that maturity and freedom to be professional.

"It’s not about sitting in a hotel for 24 hours a day, it’s about going out and leading an adult life and being mature, so there’s time to go into town and have a coffee to get the right balance between working hard and relaxing.

"With the group of players that we’ve got, there are no issues and we’re very focused."

Ward-Prowse was speaking at a visit to Heyrovskeho School in Olomouc, where he met young pupils from the school and the SK Olomouc youth academy.