By any means possible
Declan Rice insists England are ready to ‘run through a brick wall’ in the Euro 2024 final against Spain on Sunday.
The Arsenal midfielder has played every minute of the tournament so far, but believes adrenaline will see the Three Lions through the duration in Berlin.
“The first couple of games, I was feeling more tired than I am now. As the adrenaline kicked in more, as the games ramp up, it gives you that extra bit of energy, extra bit of fire,” said Rice.
“I think now. especially on Sunday, all of us will run through a brick wall to do anything to win this game – whether that’s in 90 or 120 (minutes) – we’ll give absolutely everything and that’s all we can ask for.”
He added: “I never feel like we get that love and that credit about how well we actually keep the ball.
“We have been doing that really well of late, even against Switzerland, we kept the ball really well in the final third.
“Against Spain, it is going to be needed. We’re going to need to take touches, take the sting out of the game because Spain – if you look over the years – are the kings of killing football matches and passing the ball so we need to use all our experience and everything we’ve got to try and control.”
Career-defining moment
England manager Gareth Southgate says he wants to win the Euro 2024 final so much it hurts.
But Southgate also insists defeat against Spain will only define him in the eyes of others.
He said: “As a coach, manager, leader, you recognise what you’re doing well.
“Had we gone out in the first knockout round here, I know I’ve managed this period better than I did in Russia (at the 2018 World Cup), but that wouldn’t be how it was viewed and it would sound like nonsense to the man in the street.
“I completely understand that, but I know the job now and I’m really clear on being my own biggest critic, reviewing everything clearly.
“So, I know there is a body of work there and how we’ve worked with different teams, different groups of players that we’ve brought together to get the outcomes that we have.
“I want to win so much on Sunday it hurts, don’t get me wrong, but I can handle whatever comes and I know it’s not going to change what the dog thinks when I walk back through the door.”
‘It would mean everything’
Sunday’s Euro 2024 final could trigger the biggest nationwide party among a generation of success-starved England fans.
But for one Aston Villa fan who called into talkSPORT on Friday, a Three Lions victory on Sunday would mean more than most.
For Danny the Villa fan, seeing Gareth Southgate’s men left the European Championship trophy would be extra special after a tough year following a personal tragedy.
He told White and Jordan: “Earlier on this year, I lost a very close friend to suicide.
“Emotion-wise when Villa qualified for the Champions League, that was quite special, but to win the Euros – I’m welling up about it now – it would mean everything.
“And to any chaps out there struggling, just remember there’s always somebody to talk to.
“So, come on Southgate, bring it home and let’s have a party.”
Host Jim White looked visibly moved by the call and replied: “Danny, that was quite a message. We’re sorry for your loss, my friend.”
Carlos Alcaraz booed for Euro 2024 joke
Carlos Alcaraz felt the wrath of Wimbledon’s centre court after a joke about the Euro 2024 final turned him into the pantomime villain.
His clash with Novak Djokovic takes place on the same day as England’s clash with Spain in Berlin.
Asked by Annabel Croft about the Wimbledon final on Sunday, Alcaraz joked: “It is going to be a really good day for Spanish people as well with the Euro Cup.”
Alcaraz then smiled as fans in attendance at centre court booed the Wimbledon finalist with banter in the air.
The Spaniard then backtracked, saying: “I didn’t say Spain is going to win.
“I am just saying that it is going to be a really fun day!”