A close-knit group of friends has hit the €123 million (£100 million) EuroMillions jackpot, sparking celebrations across their community. Despite the life-changing windfall, one member of the 21-person syndicate has revealed that there is something he treasures more than his €5.8 million (£5 million) share of the prize: his health.
Fernand, from Zingem, Belgium, opened up about his personal struggles. “I would have preferred to be in good health. I’ve been fighting health issues for years, and having good health means more to me than this large sum of money,” he shared candidly. “The past year and a half have been tough, but now that we have this money, we can ensure a better future for our children and grandchildren.”
Another syndicate member, Éric, explained their playing strategy. “We don’t enter every draw, only when the jackpot surpasses €100 million,” he said. “On Friday, 21 of us contributed five euros each. We bought four tickets at the Taerwe bakery nearby.”
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Redgy Taerwe, owner of the bakery where the winning tickets were purchased, expressed mixed feelings. “One of the winners called me to celebrate with champagne. It was fantastic news,” he revealed to Flemish press HLN. “But unfortunately, I’m not part of the group. They haven’t disclosed their identities, and I won’t either.”
This win marks a remarkable second jackpot for Belgium within two months. Previously, a lucky Belgian player took home €142 million last December. Across Europe, big EuroMillions wins have made headlines, including three major UK jackpots in 2025 alone. While many winners choose to remain anonymous, some prizes go unclaimed — like a £1 million prize in Wales lost in 2024 after the deadline passed, with the funds redirected to National Lottery projects.
Andy Carter from the National Lottery noted, “It’s unfortunate when winners miss out, but their prize money supports good causes nationwide.” The largest unclaimed EuroMillions jackpot in Britain remains an astonishing £63.8 million from 2012, highlighting the importance of claiming winnings promptly.