By the time we sit down, it’s almost 9:30 at night. She had a 6am pick up, a four hour delay at the airport and she is still wet from the team walk after dinner in the rain where, for the record, she was one of the only female players not wearing a coat – ‘you can’t take the Sunderland off the girl’ etc.
Jill Scott is, as always, a walking ensemble of warmth, positivity, and fun.
The 10 participations in major tournaments and 156 selections have taught him to appreciate every moment, even if it is in a boarding room without knowing when a replacement pilot could arrive. “It went pretty fast,” she said. “I just had a cup of tea and since we were all back home this weekend, it was pretty nice to catch up with the girls.”
If that’s the most disruptive thing to happen in the next few weeks, then the Lionesses can count themselves lucky – big tournaments have a habit of throwing the unexpected. Having people who can embrace the unpredictable and the unexpected and take it in their stride, in the case of very long Scott, could prove crucial if England are to win a first major trophy.
She’s definitely ready for the trip: “I’m so excited, I’m like a kid again. It’s an incredible feeling to enter a home Euro with such a talented team. I’m so excited for this trip, it’s like going on a roller coaster and I’m going to be the one in the back with my hands up.
“I want to go out there and enjoy it all. I don’t want to miss a second – I’m going to have my eyes peeled at the back of this ride.”
It’s taken a while but there’s an acceptance from Scott, who is currently without a club next season after leaving Manchester City, as much as she thinks she can still make it at 35, it’s unlikely. that she plays every minute of every match: “I “I really hope that during this tournament I can also be of great help off the pitch. It’s no secret that I haven’t had much playing time in the last year for England, but I try to help the girls in other ways too.
“Maybe a bit of tactical stuff in midfield or just being there so they can talk and vent – playing in tournaments is tough, especially when you get to the sixth or seventh game.”
That said, 16 years after his debut, Scott is more eager than ever to make an impact on the game: “I still overwhelmingly believe that I can add value on the pitch.
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Brighton manager Hope Powell believes Sarina Wiegman has chosen a talented squad for Euro 2022, despite not including Steph Houghton.
“I don’t want people to think I’m only here to be involved off the pitch. I train every day to such a high standard, I’ve made sure I’m in good shape [having missed the end of the WSL season with a knee injury] and ready to compete for a spot and then got picked, so I think it’s kind of about finding that balance.
“In every training session I’m going to push myself, I think it’s so important that you bring that energy and that professionalism. I hope I can play an overall role. I don’t know how the tournament is going. that going to work, but if I’m needed, I’ll be ready.”
Jill Scott trains with the Lionesses at England’s St George’s Park training base
Scott certainly showed that will in his performance against Spain earlier this year, defending against Ballon d’Or winner Alexis Putellas in the Arnold Clark Cup. “I think it was pretty good for me, I hadn’t had a lot of playing time at Man City and then I was called up to start against one of the best teams, playing against some of the best players in the game. world.
“I thought I was fine and even though I’m 35 now I feel fine. I think it’s down to the training and the expertise, I have to keep pushing.”
Whatever role Scott plays over the next few weeks, the impact she has had on her sport is beyond doubt. While some members of the England squad might be a little hesitant about being honored at a home Euro, Scott will no doubt be able to handle the pressure.
“I like people,” she says. “I like having conversations, so that doesn’t bother me at all. I like talking about football and meeting new people.”
Anyone who has listened to his podcast will attest to that. She is clearly revered and trusts her former and current teammates to open up. “Some of these stories should have been deleted,” she jokes. In reality, it is the unpublished and totally authentic version of Scott that she has decided to reveal.
Jill Scott competing for England against North Macedonia in World Cup qualifying
She also understands what’s at stake over the next few weeks outside of results. Scott knows this is a game-changing moment for women’s football in this country. The midfielder uses her status to help maintain that interest and emotional connection with a group of players she believes can make history.
There is still a challenge ahead of the tournament, as England take on Switzerland on Thursday with Scott hoping to make his first appearance since being confirmed in Sarina Wiegman’s 23-man squad. She ends by saying: “Now is the time to ‘dare to dream’, because being on this team for so long, the only thing missing is a gold medal.”
Follow Euro 2022 on Sky Sports
Catch up on all the latest Euro 2022 news on Sky Sports and Sky Sports News this summer.
Coverage will be anchored by Sky Sports WSL presenter Caroline Barker, alongside Jessica Creighton and Kyle Walker. Meanwhile, Karen Carney, Sue Smith, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and Laura Bassett will provide analysis throughout the tournament.
They will also be joined by experienced England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley and Manchester City defender Esme Morgan.
Pundits and presenters will work from the Sky Sports Women’s Euro 2022 mobile presentation bus, which will follow the Sky Sports News team around the country to the various stadiums where the matches are taking place.
Additionally, Sky Sports’ essential football podcast will be rebranded for the Sky Sports Women’s Euros Podcast Tournament from June 21. Hosted by Charlotte Marsh and Anton Toloui, it will feature exclusive news and player interviews in addition to a solid tournament programme.
Euro 2022: The groups…
Group A: England, Austria, Norway, Northern Ireland
Group B: Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland
Group C: Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, Switzerland
Group D: France, Italy, Belgium, Iceland
Euro 2022: The schedule…
Group stage
Wednesday July 6
Group A: England v Austria – Kick off 8pm, Old Trafford
Thursday July 7
Group A: Norway v Northern Ireland – kick off 8pm, St Mary’s
friday july 8
Group B: Spain v Finland – Kick off 5.00pm, Stadium MK
Group B: Germany v Denmark – Kick off 8pm, London Community Stadium
Saturday July 9
Group C: Portugal vs Switzerland – kick off 5pm, Leigh Sports Village
Group C: Netherlands v Sweden – kick off 8pm, Bramall Lane
Sunday July 10
Group D: Belgium v Iceland – Kick off 5.00pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium
Group D: France vs Italy – kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium
Monday July 11
Group A: Austria v Northern Ireland – kick off 5pm, St Mary’s
Group A: England v Norway – kick off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
tuesday july 12
Group B: Denmark v Finland – Kick off 5.00pm, Stadium MK
Group B: Germany v Spain – Kick off 8pm, London Community Stadium
Wednesday July 13
Group C: Sweden v Switzerland – kick off 5pm, Bramall Lane
Group C: Netherlands-Portugal – kick-off 8pm, Leigh Sports Village
Thursday July 14
Group D: Italy v Iceland – Kick off 5pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium
Group D: France vs Belgium – kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium
friday july 15
Group A: Northern Ireland v England – kick off 8pm St Mary’s
Group A: Austria v Norway – Kick off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
Saturday July 16
Group B: Finland v Germany – Kick-off 8pm, Stadium MK
Group B: Denmark v Spain – Kick off 8pm, London Community Stadium
Sunday July 17
Group C: Switzerland vs Netherlands – kick off 5pm, Bramall Lane
Group C: Sweden v Portugal – kick off 5pm, Leigh Sports Village
Monday July 18
Group D: Iceland vs France – kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium
Group D: Italy v Belgium – Kick off 8pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium
Knockout stage
Quarter-finals
Wednesday July 20
Quarter-final 1: Winners Group A v Runners-up Group B – kick off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
Thursday July 21
Quarter-Final 2: Group B Winners v Group A Runners-up 8pm, London Community Stadium
friday july 22
Quarter-final 3: Winners Group C v Runners-up Group D – kick-off 8pm, Leigh Sports Village
Quarter-Final 4: Winners Group D v Runners-up Group C – kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium
Semi-finals
tuesday july 26
Semi-Final 1: Quarter-Final Winners 1 v Quarter-Final Winners 3 – Kick-off 8pm, Bramall Lane
Wednesday July 27
Semi-Final 2: Winner Quarter-Final 2 v Winner Quarter-Final 4 – Kick-off 8pm, Stadium MK
Final
Sunday July 31
Winners Semi-Final 1 v Winners Semi-Final 2 – Kick-off 5pm, Wembley
