Big Match

William Fancies Bayern Munich To Win Euro Soccer League

Soccer fan Prince William said today that he fancied Bayern Munich to win Saturday's all-German Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.

"My money is on Bayern Munich and two-nil," Prince William said.

He was speaking at an event to welcome soccer officials from across Europe for Uefa's 37th annual congress being staged in London today.

William, who is president of the British Football Association, told delegates: "It is a great honour for us, the English FA, to host not just this prestigious Congress, but of course - the real excitement - tomorrow's Champions League final. My money is on Bayern Munich and two-nil. To host these events during our 150th anniversary year is truly special.

"The rules of association football were drafted 150 years ago in a London pub very close to where we meet today. As you know, we English have a love affair with both football and our pubs, so it's no surprise that one helped create the other."

In his speech, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said: "We have had the honour of listening to Prince William, a fan of Aston Villa who have been fighting relegation, but they did it!"

It was the first time the Duke has met Blatter since the royal played a role in England's unsuccessful bid to host the 2018 World Cup, joining a delegation in Switzerland in 2010 which included David Cameron and David Beckham.

Tomorrow, Wembley Stadium in London hosts the showpiece Uefa Champions League final between Germany's two leading teams Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.

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Tom SykesEuropean Editor at Large

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