NOTHING TO FEAR BUT BEER ITSELF

Rice vows to have first 'proper' pint if trophy is with it... even if he'll have to hold his nose

- ANDY DUNN

DECLAN RICE has promised to have his first proper pint if he lifts the Euro 2024 trophy in Berlin on Sunday.

And the 25-year-old believes the beer would wash away the pain that still lingers following the defeat to Italy at Wembley three years ago.

Before Euro 2020, Rice said he would celebrate a tournament win with a beer, having never had one in his life to that point.

He laughed and said: "I remember that. Since that time, I've had a beer but I had it with a bit of lemonade.

"If we win, I'll have a proper beer. I'll probably have to hold my nose as I hate the smell!" And when asked if the agony of the penalty shootout would drive England on when they face Spain, he said: "Yeah, definitely.

"Seeing Italy lift that trophy will haunt me forever. We are now presented with another opportunity where we can write our own history.

"It's a Euro final, there's a lot on the line but hopefully we keep rewriting history.