Jill Scott admits England's Euro 2022 & Euro 2009 campaigns are 'night and day'
By Ali Rampling
Jill Scott admits the situation England find themselves in ahead of the Euro 2022 final compared to the final in 2009 is 'like night and day'.
The Lionesses face Germany at Wembley on Sunday in a repeat of the final 13 years ago, with Scott the only England player to have been in the squad for both tournaments.
England were beaten 6-2 by an all conquering German side back in 2009 after the gulf in class took its toll in the final 30 minutes - but the game in England and the strength of the Lionesses has undergone a dramatic transformation since.
"Now you've got players that are playing full time in WSL, training full time with their clubs, all the work that the FA's put in to getting the game to the next level - it's like night and day really," Scott reflected.
"When you speak about 2009, we knew Germany were ahead of us in a lot of ways in terms of where football was at in their country, and we knew it was a massive task in front of us. We did take a beating that day and we knew it was going to be so difficult to win that game. Since then you've seen the team reach quarter finals, semi finals and the FA's really focused on the women's team.
"We got the central contracts in 2009 and from there they invested a lot of money in the WSL so I think it's been a process to get to this level."
Having made her international debut in 2006, Scott has witnessed first had the evolution of the women's game in England, and she dedicated the potential victory on Sunday to those who have been on the journey from the beginning.
"We don't want to forget everybody that's come before us and worn the shirt because that's why we're here today," Scott added. "It's going to be a great moment - even thinking about it my voice goes a little bit, but we just have to try and remain logical and it's one more game to go out there and achieve our dreams.
"This is for everyone on Sunday, absolutely everybody. The volunteers that just went and helped out at a local girls' team, the ones that are still doing it, the ones that just love the game. I see reporters in here and they've been there for the past 16 years, and they just do it for the love of the game.
"I hope everybody knows that on Sunday if we are to lift that trophy, they've all got their hand on it as well."