England ‘feel the love’ ahead of Euro 2024 final against Spain, says Declan Rice

Declan Rice says England are “feeling the love” after winning the nation back over on their rollercoaster run to the Euro 2024 final, while urging his teammates to shake off their reputation as a nearly-team by finally emulating the heroes of 1966.

England will face Spain in the final in Berlin on Sunday, hoping to end the country’s 58-year wait for its first major men’s tournament win.

That it would even get that far seemed unlikely as Gareth Southgate’s team stumbled through the group stage amid a torrent of criticism. The manager was pelted with plastic cups after the 0-0 draw with Slovenia and former England striker Gary Lineker branded his team’s performance “shit”.

However, after a steady improvement during the knockout rounds and a series of dramatic last-minute victories, the country is now united behind the national team again and Rice had high praise for coach Southgate for overcoming the crisis.

“I can’t praise Gareth enough, he deserves it more than anyone,” said the Arsenal midfielder. “It was tough after the group stage. The boos, people throwing things on the pitch. The way he reacted with us afterwards, how calm he was even though he felt differently, he calmed us down.”

“It seemed to me that some people only said such negative things. Now that has changed in some ways, which is really good. We respect everyone, all former players who have worn an England shirt, because they are part of that history too.”

“Now we feel the love, the trust. Just stick with us, one more game and hopefully we can do something special and create memories for all of you forever.”

After a dismal run that saw England go two decades without reaching the semi-finals of a major tournament, Southgate has transformed the Three Lions into consistent finals contenders during his eight-year tenure, reaching two consecutive European Championship finals and the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.

However, after those near-defeats – including the heartbreaking penalty shoot-out defeat to Italy at Wembley three years ago – Rice is convinced it is now up to England to convert their progress into a title.

“English football is on a great path but now it’s time to show we can win,” he said. “Nations like Spain have been there and won European Championships and finals. They deserve that respect because they’ve done it in big moments.”

“We have experienced the big moments and we haven’t done that since 1966. Now we have a great chance as players and as a nation to take the next step and become champions.”

“To win with England would be the best thing you could win in your career. You could win anything, but to win with your country is unbeatable.”

Rice revealed he had been in contact with club manager Mikel Arteta throughout the tournament. Arsenal’s Spanish manager takes divided loyalties into the final, which will also feature Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale playing against his native country.

“We spoke on the phone the other day and talked for about 10 minutes,” Rice said. “That was good, it was nice to talk to him. I hadn’t spoken to him since the end of the season. Then he texted ‘Vamos!’ the other night when we got to the finals.”

“He’s obviously shared because he’s Spanish, but he also has guys in the England squad. But he wished me well, so I was happy with that.”

Rice also said she was inspired by Arsenal stars such as Leah Williamson and Beth Mead, who led England to triumph at the Women’s European Championship two years ago.

“We saw what the women won and what it meant to them and the nation,” added the 25-year-old. “I’m now lucky enough to see the girls in the Arsenal team that won often and to this day they still talk about it.”

“That’s what we want now as a men’s team. We want to win, make the nation proud, make the fans proud and write our own little piece of history.”