Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has promised to savour his first ever full pint if he succeeds in securing the Euro 2024 trophy for England in Berlin this Sunday.
The 25-year-old is looking forward to a celebratory beer as England aims to overcome the lingering disappointment from their defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley three years ago. Before that tournament, Rice had declared that he would celebrate any victory with a beer, despite never having drunk one before.
“I remember that,” he chuckled. “Since then, I’ve tried a beer but only mixed with lemonade. If we win, I’ll have a proper beer. I might need to hold my nose though, as I can’t stand the smell!”
When questioned about whether the painful memory of the penalty shootout against Italy would motivate the team in their upcoming match against Spain, he vowed: “Absolutely.
“Watching Italy hoist that trophy is something that will haunt me forever. Now, we have another chance to make our own history. It’s a Euro final and there’s a lot at stake, but hopefully, we can continue to rewrite history.
“Prince William warned us at St George’s Park before the tournament began that it would be a rollercoaster ride and that this tournament is brutal. And it certainly has been, right from the start. Now, we find ourselves in yet another final.”
