Mark skippered England to an opening win against Ukraine in France in the UEFA tournament and says:
"I was proud to be captain and pleased we got off to a good start.
"They were strong but I think we outplayed them in the first 20 minutes, and overpowered them."
Mark is picking up invaluable experience with England - but he says he is not daunted and he adds:
"It is not really new to me because I have played quite a few internationals and against several east European teams - so I am quite used to it.
"There are no friendlies and everyone is here to win - it is serious."
Mark says the atmosphere in the first game was good and adds:
"There were loads of little screaming children there - and I think they were supporting England!
"We have Portugal next; they drew with Austria, so that is good for us; if we beat them I think we are through."
Mark, who actually made it to the bench for the FA cup tie at Wolves this season but has yet to play for the first team, is also keeping an eye on results back home.
"It is a hard game away to Wigan but hopefully we will get to the playoffs and then the Premiership," he says.
"I suppose the chances of getting through to the first team reduce a bit for me if we do - but I will keep working hard."
* West Ham are 9/4 favourites with Stan James to be promoted to the Premiership.
They make Sunderland 5/2 second favourites to go up via the play-offs and also offer 3/1 Crystal Palace, 4/1 Ipswich, 14/1 Wigan; 40/1 Sheffield United; 80/1 Reading.
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