We showed a lot of heart, but that won't be enough to win this tournament, says Parker

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UPDATED:

14:48 GMT, 12 June 2012

Scott Parker praised England's big hearts and commitment after they held France to a 1-1 draw in their opening Euro 2012 clash.

But the Tottenham midfielder is unsure whether such qualities alone will be sufficient to win tournaments.

Midfielder Parker played a key part in helping to stifle the threat of France who dominated possession and were the better side during the second half.

On your bike: Captain Gerrard is put through his paces on Tuesday

Now England will look to build on their encouraging start against Sweden in Kiev on Friday and then host nation Ukraine in Donetsk on Tuesday.

Parker said: 'I think it was a good result and something for us to build on. We did pretty well.

'We were disappointed to concede against a good French team but sometimes they are going to stretch you a bit. They have very good individuals who get into pockets all over the pitch.

'We probably would have taken the point beforehand. It was hot and difficult and they are a very good team.

'The one thing we showed was a lot of big hearts, courage and commitment.

Hard work: Parker put in a storming shift against the French on Monday night

'Whether that wins you tournaments, I don't know. But it is a base for us to build on and hopefully we can do that.

'The manager was very positive afterwards. That's the way it has to be. The only way you get going in life is by being positive and looking for the ups rather than the downs.'

Parker knows there is room for improvement with England only posing a spasmodic threat in attack.

He said: 'I'm sure we will do a bit more work leading into the Sweden game on things we could do a little better. “Hopefully we can get a little bit more going forward and go from there.

Head boy: Oxlade-Chamberlain was the surprise selection to face France in England's Group D opener

'On paper France were the favourites in the group and now we will go into the other two games and try and get a result there.

'But Sweden will be difficult. We've not got the best of records in competition against Sweden so it will be tough.'

Parker, who was troubled by an achilles injury ahead of the tournament, was substituted during the second half.

But he insisted: 'I'm fine really. I had a bit of fatigue and cramp and I just didn't want to put the team or myself in a vulnerable position.'

Making his point: Gerrard was content with England's 1-1 draw with the French

Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard has called on England to take advantage of their draw against France by beating Sweden.

Gerrard is confident in England's ability to topple the Swedes despite having failed to beat them in a competitive fixture for more than 40 years.

The midfielder insists the belief and confidence in the squad is in sharp contrast to the mood after being held 1-1 by USA in the opening World Cup encounter in South Africa two years ago.

Gerrard said: 'We are not getting carried away and we just need to build on each game and the France game has gone now.

'We've got out of it partly what we wanted. We will analyse the game and what we did wrong and right and we go for the Swedes now.

'We need to get three points against them and then the point against France becomes very important.

'I don't want to disrespect the other two teams. Of course, on paper France are favourites in the group.

'The Swedes are difficult and I don't think we've beaten them for a long time in a competitive game.

'We will respect them but, with all respect, it's a game we should win.'

Gerrard admitted: 'The difference now to two years ago is we came off that game against the USA deflated with no belief and confidence.

'I think after getting a point against France, in the dressing room there was a lot of belief and confidence and a lot of togetherness and that is what you need.'

Gerrard is unsurprised how quickly the players have bought into the philosophies of new head coach Roy Hodgson and showed strong defensive qualities against France.

He said: 'Of course, we haven't been together so long and the lads have taken the tactics on board really quickly.

'I'm not surprised how quickly we have adapted to the discipline required because I know the manager really well (from Liverpool) and he puts the message across really well.

'It's alright doing that but the boys have got to take it on board and they've got to listen and against France we were unbreakable at times.

'It is a very good sign and to do well in these tournaments, you need to be very good defensively and we were against France.

'Against top sides like France, you need to be good without the ball because there are times when it is going to be difficult and they've got world-class players.

'If you ask their guys, they will say England were very good without the ball.'