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3 months ago
17
Declan Rice has vowed to drink his first proper pint of beer if England win the Euros on Sunday.
The tee-total midfielder made the same promise ahead of the final three years ago, only for Gareth Southgate’s side to lose on penalties to Italy.
But with Spain waiting for England in Berlin on Sunday, Rice said: ‘I remember saying that (before the last final). Since then, I’ve had a beer, but I had it with a bit of lemonade! If we win, I’ll have a proper beer. I’ll probably have to hold my nose, as I hate the smell!’
Rice, like the team, produced his best performance of the tournament during Wednesday night’s 2-1 win over Netherlands in the semi-final in Dortmund.
England had to ride a wave of criticism following earlier displays, but the 25-year-old always suspected that would be the case, especially after a pep talk from a member of the Royal Family.
Declan Rice has vowed to try his first proper pint if England win the Euros this weekend
Rice has started every game on England's run to the final, and arguably had his best performance of the tournament in the semi-final
England suffered a devastating defeat in the final three years ago, but Rice has urged his team-mates to avoid a repeat on Sunday
‘When Prince William came into St George’s Park, he said it would be a rollercoaster and that this tournament is brutal,’ said Rice. ‘That’s what it’s been from the first minute. It started with Jude’s (Bellingham) overhead kick and then the pens (versus Switzerland) and Holland was a completely different challenge.
‘Now we’re in another final. We are so together. What a night (on Wednesday). It was so emotional and meant everything. I’ve been in this position before and it feels just as good.’
England took an early lead in the final against Italy, only to sit back and surrender their advantage before the shootout heartache. Rice says a sense of unfinished business is a motivating factor ahead of Sunday.
‘Seeing Italy lift that trophy will haunt me forever,’ he added. ‘We are now presented with another opportunity where we can write our own history. We are just so desperate to do it. Not only for each other, but also for the manager. I think he deserves it.
‘We know now what we have to do, compared to last time in terms of how to control the game, not to sit back like we did when Italy came onto us. We know how we can win this final, which I think is a positive.
'With the back five we’ve played in the last two games, we’ve kept the ball so well. When we’ve sat back in, we’ve felt solid. We feel together and strong. We have players at club level that are used to taking the ball under pressure and playing in pockets. The improvement from the last Euros on the back five is that we’re keeping the ball much better.’
England’s improvement has been aided by the development of the midfield partnership between Rice and Kobbie Mainoo.
The 19-year-old was man-of-the-match against the Netherlands, and Rice said: ‘You can just see it. You speak to him and just feel the calm presence that he has. What I like about him is that he is not scared to say it how it is.
'There was something towards the end when he gave me a pass between the lines and I got sold short for it. We had to sprint back and we had a bit at each other, but that’s good, because you need that relationship. At 19, I can’t imagine many saying that to older players, and that’s what I love about him.
Prince William (second left) warned England that they would be in for a rollercoaster tournament, and the Three Lions have received plenty of criticism
England have started to find form, with Rice flourishing in midfield alongside Kobbie Mainoo
Rice has heaped praise on Spanish teenager Lamine Yamal who became the youngest Euros goalscorer ever in his side's win over France
‘That is what the lads love about him as well. He gets that respect. He has that leadership. The conversations we’ve been having daily with each other, and on the training pitch, has brought us together. We have become a nice partnership.’
Spain, however, have a teenage star of their own. Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal turns 17 on Saturday.
And after seeing him score from 25 yards in the semi-final win over France, Rice admitted: ‘I was trying to get a scholarship when I was 16, and you’ve got Yamal putting one in the top bins! At 16, what he is doing is another level. There is no way I was ready at 16.
‘They have so many experienced heads and some fantastic midfield players. It is a game we believe we can win, so it is poised to be a great final. There is one more in our legs to give it absolutely everything - for the boys, for the fans and for this manager. We are so desperate to do this and bring some happiness to the country.’
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