Rooney changes tack

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21 June 2012-PA Sport

Bullish mood ... Wayne Rooney's confidence is growing at EURO 2012. (Getty Images)

Having previously stated the game was evenly balanced, Wayne Rooney believes England's belief and togetherness will inspire Roy Hodgson's team to victory over Italy in its EURO 2012 quarter-final on Sunday (Monday morning AEST).

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The striker had claimed the game was "50-50", but later appeared more bullish over England's chances when he said they could "do a job" on Italy.

He told Talksport: "We're more organised than ever. The lads have all been fighting for each other, we want to do this together, so I think we've got a great chance. We feel good, we've prepared well and we're really looking forward to it.

"It's important that we believe in ourselves. We've got a great group of players and we're confident.

"It's not going to be an easy game, but we've got the players, we've got the belief and the togetherness to do a job on them. Once you get to this stage of the competition anything can happen."

Rooney marked his first appearance of the competition with the only goal of the game as England beat Ukraine last time out to book its place in the knockout stage.

And, after missing the first two games through suspension, he feels that will stand him in good stead against Italy.

He added: "Maybe a few years ago I would have run round trying to do everything in the first 20 minutes, but you've got to try and feel your way into the game.

"I tried to do that – I didn't always do it as well as I wanted to, but that was always going to be the case I think. As the game went on I felt stronger and that will help us for Sunday (Monday AEST)."