England's emphatic win at Euro 2022 would have been all the sweeter for veteran midfielder, Jill Scott, who claimed revenge on the team that caused her heartbreak in a Euro final some 13 years ago.
The 35-year-old was a part of the Lioness squad who were beaten at Euro 2009 by Germany, in a 6-2 battering - however, she had her evening in the sun last night with a 2-1 victory over the dominating European team.
And when she joined her current Lioness teammates to collect her medal after the final whistle had blown last night, she had a sweet and touching moment with Prince William.
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The Mirror reports that William is the president of the English Football Association (FA) and was on hand to present the victors of Euro 2022 with their medals and coveted cup. And when it came to Jill receiving her congratulations, the future King shunned the formal handshake and instead gave her a hug.
The pair share an ongoing joke, after a mishap that left Sunderland's Jill taking out the senior royal. She previously said: "It stems back to about 10 years ago when we did a charity event and I slipped and side-tackled him and actually wiped him out.
“The running joke whenever he sees us is, ‘No yellow cards this tournament Jill!’.”
A few years later, during a kickabout at Kensington Palace, William, 40, quipped that he still had a scar on his leg from the accidental tackle. In 2020 the 35-year-old got the MBE for her services to women’s football and the prince sent her a handwritten letter, saying: “Keep up the good work.”
Although the pandemic meant she was unable to go to the Palace to collect her honour. However, speaking on her BBC podcast, Jill Scott’s Coffee Club, she said: “That’s probably the best thing I have ever received. You know what, next time I see him I might say, ‘Can I come to Buckingham Palace?’ He’s a great guy.”
And it turns out William and Jill have another thing in common now as the midfielder has been playing for Aston Villa - the prince's favourite team. Now she's hoping he will make it to one of her club games - and maybe he could bring Princess Charlotte too.
Meanwhile, at the end of the match, William sent a personal tweet from his and Kate's @KensingtonRoyal Twitter account, where he congratulated the Lionesses on their win. It said: "Sensational. An incredible win @lionesses and the whole nation couldn't be prouder of you all. Wonderful to see history in the making tonight at Wembley, congratulations! W."
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The Queen issues message to England's Lionesses after Euro 2022 win
