Declan Rice admits he is haunted by losing the last European Championship final but England’s new system is part of an improved team which can help banish the painful memory of Wembley.
Rice believes Gareth Southgate’s team are a different proposition to three years ago when they lost on penalties to Italy. Ahead of Sunday’s Euro final against Spain, there are eight players who were in the final three years who can use that experience to their advantage.
But England have also changed their formation mid-tournament, with Southgate switching to a three-at-the-back system with wing-backs which saw them produce their best football in the semi-final win over Netherlands.
Southgate introduced the system against the Swiss in the previous round and it has seen England keep possession in midfield, which they were guilty of failing to do in the Euro 2020 final.
“With the back five we’ve played against in the last two games we’ve kept the ball so well,” said Rice. “When we’ve sat back in we’ve felt solid. On the pitch we feel together and strong.
“The improvement from the last Euros on the back five is that we’re keeping the ball much better. You have players at club level that are used to taking the ball under pressure and playing in pockets, HK [Harry Kane] dropping deep suits us.
“I felt really good with Kobbie [Mainoo] in there playing really close together and with John [Stones] and the back three has really helped, Jude [Bellingham] and Phil [Foden] in the 10s has really helped as well.
“I don’t know what the manager will do for the final. Obviously we look really strong with the five. We’re back to back so hopefully now we can do it. Not only for each other but also for the manager. I think he deserves it.”
Midfielder will drink his first ever beer if England win
Rice, 25, has promised to have the first beer of his life should England win the Euros. He made the same promise before the heartache of Euro 2020 and has since drunk only shandy. The Arsenal midfielder says he has unfinished business after the defeat to the Italians.
“I’ve had a beer but I had it with a bit of lemonade. If we win I’ll have a proper beer,” he said. “I’ll probably have to hold my nose as I hate the smell.
“Look, seeing Italy lift that trophy will haunt me forever. We are now presented with another opportunity where we can write our own history. We are up against another top side who we have to massively respect but we also have to enjoy these moments because in 15 or 20 years time when I look back, these are the nights I’ll remember.”
England were warned about the ups and downs of a tournament when they were visited by Prince William before the group stage. After drawing two group games, they were within seconds of being knocked out at the last-16 stage before Bellingham’s scissor-kick equaliser against Slovakia, which was followed by the victory on penalties against the Swiss and Ollie Watkins’ last-gasp winner in the semi-final against the Netherlands.
“When Prince William came into St George’s Park he said it would be a roller coaster and that this tournament is brutal,” said Rice. “That’s what it’s been from the first minute. Now we’re in another final.
“We are so together. So buzzing for Ollie. Characters like that on the bench, I think you can see how much it means to everyone.
“You couldn’t write it and to be part of it is so special. It started with Jude’s overhead, then the pens, then Holland was a completely different challenge. I know the final is going to be a really tough game and hopefully someone else can write some history into the books. We are just so desperate to do 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 in previous tournaments and when Italy came onto us, we know how we can win this final which I think is a positive.”
Next for England is Spain in the final, with Rice amazed by the impact of 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, who scored a stunning winner against France in the semi-final.
“I was trying to get a scholarship when I was 16 and you’ve got Yamal putting one in the top bins,” said Rice. “At 16, what he is doing is another level as 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 and we are so desperate to do this and bring some happiness to the country.”
