Theo Walcott wants to finish the European Under-21 Championships on a high after forcing his way back into Stuart Pearce’s starting XI ahead of today’s final.

The Arsenal forward was controversially dropped for England’s Group B victory over Spain but Pearce recalled him for Friday’s semi-final against hosts Sweden and the 20-year-old scored in the penalty shoot-out.

With Gabriel Agbonlahor and Fraizer Campbell suspended, Walcott is set to start as a lone striker for the final against Germany in Malmo.

“We can’t wait for the final now,” Walcott said.

“We have two days to recover and prepare, and everyone will be buzzing. We have 23 players in the squad who have been fantastic throughout the tournament.

“It’s been fantastic here in Sweden, the weather has been great and hopefully we’ll have happy memories by Monday night.

“We’ve worked hard to get here, through the finals and all through the qualifiers, but we still haven’t done anything yet. We still need to get our name on that trophy.”

Sweden came so close to knocking England out at Gothenburg’s Gamla Ullevi stadium, coming back from 3-0 down to force penalties and Pearce’s youngsters down a man after Campbell’s dismissal.

“All credit to Sweden, we maybe took our foot off the gas and it’s not like us,” Walcott said.

“They just showed how dominant they have been all through this tournament, but it showed great character from all the lads coming back from that after going down to 10 men again.”

Blackburn Rovers full back Martin Olsson was in the Sweden starting line-up on Friday but was substituted at half time.