England midfielder Jill Scott has said she is looking forward to the Euro 2022 final on Sunday, calling it a “defining moment” for women’s football.
She said she thinks about what it would be like to win against Germany “50 times a day”, saying it would be a “game changer” for the sport in England.
Scott said it will be a “tough game” but the Lionesses are “prepared for every eventuality”, including a penalty shootout, which proved to be the Achilles heel for the men’s England team when they faced Italy in last year’s Euro final.
She said she thinks they were the “best-prepared team” coming into the tournament and is “very confident” about their performance on Sunday.
Speaking about their success and the public outpouring of support so far, she said: “It really has been incredible.
“We’re very happy to be there on Sunday.
“I think the best two teams have made the final, which is great. I think it’s going to be a very defining moment for the sport.”
She said it has been hard not to get “emotional” seeing so many people coming out to watch the games in the tournament.
“We really wanted to inspire the nation,” she said.
“We wanted to do everyone proud – our families, our friends. We wanted to grow more opportunities for young girls, young boys.
“We wanted to grow more opportunities for women that want to work in football. We wanted to get the sport the respect that it deserves. And if you ask me, I think we’ve ticked all the boxes.
“So I think now we’ve earned the right for the team to go out there on Sunday and enjoy it.”
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She said head coach Sarina Wiegman has been the “driving force” behind the team’s ascent to the final.
“I don’t even think she realises how good she is,” she said.
Scott said that despite a lot of media focus on the country’s long-standing rivalry with Germany, England will “pay them the most respect” but they’re “just another opposition”.
