Source: Team_Talk
Crouch relishing Champions League return
Peter Crouch could make the Champions League anthem his new ringtone after his maiden European hat-trick propelled Spurs into the group stage.[LNB] England striker Crouch put his well-publicised off-field problems behind him to rekindle his love affair with Europe's premier club competition in last night's 4-0 play-off second-leg win against Young Boys.[LNB]The 29-year-old always seemed to come alive in the Champions League when he was a Liverpool player and he now looks set to pick up where he left off at Anfield.[LNB]Crouch has revealed how he was inspired by the competition's famous pre-match music last night - the first time he had heard it while on the field for a game for more than two years.[LNB]"It's such an amazing theme tune, isn't it?" he said.[LNB]"You stand there and the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and all the crowd get going.[LNB]"When you hear that music, you realise you're playing the biggest competition in the world."[LNB]Asked if he planned to make the anthem his mobile phone ringtone, he added: "Perhaps. It is fantastic music."[LNB]Crouch was really on song yesterday, with Young Boys simply unable to cope with his 6ft 7in frame as he scored two unchallenged headers.[LNB]The striker completed his treble from the spot, while Spurs' other goal - their crucial second - was scored controversially by Jermain Defoe via the assistance of an arm.[LNB]That helped seal a 6-3 aggregate success - a result that appeared unthinkable when Tottenham fell 3-0 behind after half an hour of last week's first leg.[LNB]"If we'd have gone out with a whimper in a two-legged affair, it would've been disappointing," said Crouch, who cannot wait to be reunited with the cream of Europe, with Spurs having waited 48 years to be in such company.[LNB]"The Barcelonas, the Inter Milans, Real Madrids: we've got the opportunity to play them and I think the fans are all looking forward to it," he said.[LNB]"I think it's been too long for this club. It's a club that should be in the Champions League."[LNB]And in it to win it, according to Crouch.[LNB]"I've been lucky enough to get to the final with Liverpool and I wouldn't say this team is any worse than that," he said.[LNB]"I genuinely believe that we've got some fantastic, match-winning players.[LNB]"If we're organised and do a job away from home, I don't think any team will enjoy coming to White Hart Lane.[LNB]"We've got the players to take the game to them and, if we're on our game, we can beat anyone."[LNB]With three London teams in the group stage - a first for a city in an individual campaign - it is fitting that the final will be held at Wembley.[LNB]Crouch said: "That'll be some final. If an English team get there, it'll be a magnificent atmosphere.[LNB]"To play at Wembley is a fantastic occasion for any game but for a Champions League final, it makes the mouth water.[LNB]"We don't want to get ahead of ourselves; we've only just qualified for the first time.[LNB]"But we've got enough about us to have a good run."[LNB]Crouch pipped Gareth Bale to the man-of-the-match award last night, the flying winger in red-hot form with four assists on top of his two goals in Saturday's Premier League win at Stoke.[LNB]The 21-year-old reckons he has never played better.[LNB]"I'm enjoying my game at the moment and enjoying my football," he said.[LNB]"I hope to continue to do that."[LNB]And in the latter stages of the Champions League, according to the Welshman.[LNB]"We're not going to enter the competition just to be there," he added.[LNB]"We want to get to the next stage."
