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England midfielder Declan Rice says the men’s team can take inspiration from the Lionesses to become a nation of winners in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final against Spain.
Having reached consecutive European Championship finals, Gareth Southgate’s side will be hoping to emulate their female counterparts in the showpiece in Berlin – and banish painful memories of their Wembley defeat by Italy at Euro 2020.
“We saw when the women’s team won it, what it meant to them and the nation,” said Arsenal midfielder Rice, who has been a mainstay in England’s side during the tournament.
“I see some of the girls at Arsenal and that’s what we want. We want to win and make the nation proud.
“We are back in another final, which is history itself, but now we are aiming to do one more.
“We don’t want to keep talking about it and getting to finals and be happy with that.
“We now want to be a country where we win. We want to continue to grow and, for the young players coming in, we want to be a really big force.”
‘We were too naive’
Rice was part of the England side which lost on penalties to Italy in their first Euros final three years ago.
The 25-year-old says the Three Lions were “naive” in front of their home crowd at Wembley, but are desperate to overcome 2008 and 2012 winners Spain.
“Seeing Italy walk up to lift the trophy at your home stadium lives with you as a football player,” added Rice.
“We know that in the last final we probably just sat off and didn’t attack as much as we should have. There are not many times you go back-to-back in finals but this group of players are so hungry.
“We know it’s going to be tough and know you can’t overlook Spain, who have been a top nation for so many years. But I’ve never seen a group so motivated, in training, and how we talk with each other around the place.
“Everyone is so driven to win this game.”
Rice’s sentiment was echoed by defender Kyle Walker, who says England will be better for their previous experience and under less pressure in a final played on foreign soil.
“The emotion of Wembley was completely different, with miles and miles of people chanting you and cheering you on as you leave St George’s Park,” Walker told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“We’re on a different turf now and maybe that might work to our benefit, where there’s not so much pressure on us.
“But as people and players, who have experienced these finals before, we have to deliver on the big occasions.”