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New York Times
14-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Wales fans sing through the night but Euro 2025 elimination is a reality check
Midnight in St Gallen, 21 hours to Wales' final Euro 2025 kick-off. Andrea Bocelli is issuing orders. It's time to say goodbye, apparently, to the night and this place, specifically a 15×15-foot karaoke hot box two stories high in the Swiss sky. The room is stuffed with Wales fans, former players, friends and family of current ones, and even the Welsh media. And, of course, no one is listening to Bocelli, or the gracious but bleary-eyed Swiss bartender in a bar that is almost certainly in contravention of Swiss safety codes with this mosh-pit of bodies and creaking floorboards. Instead, there is protest by song, Welsh hymns beating against the impending silence of closing time, against the rising Swiss sun itself. Advertisement This has been Wales' Euro 2025 story: a happy, song-filled act of resistance to inevitability. Because bars close and suns rise and Wales are going home. Their 6-1 defeat to reigning European champions England on Sunday proved to be the unavoidable last call on their first major tournament. On paper, this is unsurprising. Wales are the lowest-ranked side (30th) at this competition, drawn into a wretched group of two former European champions (England, 2022; Netherlands, 2017) and 2022 semi-finalists France. Some former Wales national team players from the 1990s and their families speak about the potential of a 7-0 win before kick-off to progress to the knockout rounds, dissecting the avenues where such a feat could happen — but an early goal, then two on either side of half-time, all while quadruple-marking Lauren James, soon mean flights home on Monday are being checked into, train departures discussed. 'We're Wales,' says Michele Adams, one of the three women who successfully lobbied the Football Association of Wales (FAW) in 1992 to formally recognise a national women's team, more than 20 years after the near 50-year ban on women's football was lifted in the country. 'It has never been easy,' Karen Jones, another of the three, finishes for her. But Wales fans gather for the 800-metre walk to Kybunpark regardless, bracing for a lopsided battle in the only way they know how: by song. Into pink-streaked clouds hums Yma o Hyd, a patriotic 1983 ode to this nation's ability to survive. A pair of boots is packed surreptitiously into a Wales fan's carrier bag. 'In case of a pitch invasion,' they explain with a wink. Among the Wales family section, a buzz simmers. Wales forward Hannah Cain's grandfather has made the trip. Lily Woodham's nan. Esther Morgan's sisters and parents each wear a shirt bearing the full-back's name but a different number. 'All the numbers she's ever worn,' they tell The Athletic. 'We are her career.' It has taken multiple villages to reach this point. From Adams, Jones and former Wales captain and UEFA vice-president Laura McAllister penning their letter in 1992, to the women's team being removed from their Euro 2005 qualification due to FAW budget cuts. From Woodham's nan watching her granddaughter play on the local grass pitches at seven years old — 'I never imagined one day we'd be here,' she says, her eyes scanning the crowd — to when Jess Fishlock made her 100th Wales appearance in Llanelli in April 2017. 'How many of us were there?' a family friend of Fishlock's asks. From here, heads turn, taking in the sheer weight of red around them. 'Not as many as there are now,' comes the answer. It is perhaps why the manner of Wales' final tussle in Switzerland stings so coldly, to have the known yawning gaps of quality and infrastructure exposed under such harsh fluorescent lighting. At half-time, four goals down, confirmation is murmured that James is 'actually untameable'. Beers are bought. Grimaces exchanged. 'Reality check' becomes the word of the hour. Wales are the only nation in Group D without a fully professional domestic league. The only team with a 0.2 per cent chance of lifting the trophy, according to Opta. Advertisement A sigh. A shrug. A bare-boned list of consolation prizes assembles: no more goals conceded. A goal of Wales' own. 'This is just where we're at now,' it is agreed. The appropriate thing to do here is to discuss necessary forward progression, how to construct bridges over gulfs. But then Wales centurion Fishlock picks up the ball in the 76th minute. And at this point, the 38-year-old midfielder's ineffably still whirring legs are the only forward-moving objects anyone cares about. Because the Seattle Reign forward is now laying a perfectly weighted pass off to Cain, who thumps Wales' second goal of the Euros beyond Hannah Hampton with enough venom to momentarily banish memories of everything else: the 13 goals conceded, the three defeats, the hard-edged reality crystallising around what, just a few hours earlier, still warbled like a daydream. By every technical standard, Cain's goal is pure consolation. But that does not stop fans and family from choosing to remain in it, not only because of how illusory these moments have long been for this team with a dragon on its heart, but because of the movements those moments potentially inspire. So at full time, there are tears. Chants of 'Wales!' are belted back into the sky from the nearly 3,000 in attendance. Manager Rhian Wilkinson is leaping over the pitch's side hoardings, much to the alarm of the stadium security. The former Canada international is shaking every hand she can. Finally, it is midnight — three hours since Wales' final Euro 2025 kick-off. There is no Bocelli. Kybunpark should be empty. But in the terraces, the remaining families of players are singing Yma o Hyd. 'They're still here? Singing?' asks Adams as she wanders outside with Jones. Whether the former midfielder is looking for a response is unclear. But the answer is, unimaginably, yes. Because, sometimes, what else is there to do?
BBC News
13-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Fishlock needs 'a little think' before deciding on Wales future
Wales' most capped player and record goalscorer Jess Fishlock has made "no decisions" on her international says Wales have to learn from their experience at Euro 2025, which came to an end with a heavy 6-1 defeat against were appearing in major finals for the first time in their history.
New York Times
12-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Wales relishing chance to eliminate England from Euro 2025: ‘We get to spoil the party'
Wales are relishing the prospect of 'spoiling England's party' by knocking them out of the 2025 European Championship. Wales have a monumental task ahead of them if they are to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition, needing to beat England in their last group game on Sunday by four goals and relying on France to get the better of the Netherlands. Advertisement However, Wilkinson's side can also prevent England from reaching the knockout stages and should they at least avoid defeat against the Lionesses this could open the door for the Netherlands to progress at their expense. 'These women have fought so hard for so long, many of them, their whole careers, to have this opportunity,' manager Rhian Wilkinson told a press conference on Saturday. 'I will not allow us to feel like we're just here to participate. So we will continue to celebrate.' Wales, the lowest ranked side in the competition, have suffered two defeats against superior opposition in France (3-0) and the Netherlands (4-1) and sit fourth on 0 points. But they have continued to celebrate the small wins, including their first goal at a major tournament scored by Jess Fishlock against France on Wednesday. 'Why wouldn't we go towards a rivalry?' said Wilkinson, a Canadian familiar with cross-border rivalries. 'This will only benefit the women's game, and we're going to push them as much as possible to the very end. 'We're in an incredibly close group. England will be forced to play a strong lineup because it is such a close group, and there's also a goal differential. So for my women, we get to show up and spoil the party, and that's a wonderful job to have.' When asked what it would mean to knock out England, Seattle Reign midfielder Angharad James paused, sizing up her words for measure. 'We just concentrate on delivering the game plan, getting the performance right and the result hopefully will come with that,' she said. 'As a Welsh woman, do you want to knock England out? Of course you do. It's in our blood, our DNA and the rivalry has always been there and always will be there. You have to come back to the occasion and this is just another game of football.' Wales have a fully fit squad apart from goalkeeper Poppy Soper who was injured in training. In line with UEFA regulations, which states goalkeepers may be replaced before a team submits their match sheet for the next match, Wales will call up a third goalkeeper. An official announcement is expected later. Advertisement By The Athletic's Cerys Jones This is the only group where all four teams can technically still qualify, though for Wales, it is extremely unlikely. First, if England beat Wales on Sunday, they are through. If England and Wales draw, England would progress unless the Netherlands beat France. If England lose to Wales, they would need France to beat the Netherlands. That would send the decision between Wales, the Netherlands, and England going through to goal difference between the three, where England's current margin of +4 puts them in a very strong position. For the Netherlands to progress, they need to beat France and for England to lose or draw against Wales. France only need to avoid defeat to be certain of going through. If they lose to the Netherlands, they will still go through if England fail to win. If England win and France lose, it would come down to goal difference in the head-to-head clashes between France, England, and the Netherlands, where the Netherlands are at a significant disadvantage due to their heavy loss to England. Wales can technically still qualify – but they would need to beat England by at least four goals and for France to beat the Netherlands.
BBC News
12-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Josie Green column: We want to show the world what Wales is all about
In her latest BBC Sport column at Euro 2025, Josie Green discusses Wales' improved performance in defeat to France, that bus journey, the challenge of facing reigning champions England and reflects on Wales' unsung hero and superstar. We are close to our third and final group game at our first major tournament, Euro 2025 and it is safe to that none of our squad are ready for our tournament to always knew we had an extremely difficult group, playing three of the best sides in the world and we want to continue to show the world who we are when we face England in St Gallen.I think we have definitely grown into the tournament and we were a lot happier with our performance against France – albeit it was not the result we wanted – than we were with our opening performance against the Netherlands.I think, understandably in the first game there was an element of the nerves and the emotion of the occasion playing a part. It was a historic game for you can see us growing in the tournament and I think in the France game we showed what we are capable of doing, it was just those small margins and small moments that cost us, but I was super proud of what we did in that game. Every detail has been spot-on in Switzerland Obviously, our preparation for that match was definitely unusual with our bus being involved in an incident on the way to our training session the day before the game. I think all of our players took it in their stride and it shows the adaptability and the togetherness of this group to pull was very unusual obviously, but I think the way the Football Association of Wales handled it epitomised how spot-on our staff have been on this were so adaptable to ensure we could get on the training pitch at our base in Weinfelden even though it was a last-minute change of plan. But since we got here, everything has been really first rate and the level to detail has been put in so much effort and gone above and beyond to make us have a level playing field at this tournament and it nice to be able to give them all a training base, which has been built up from scratch, is superb and the detail in our hotel has been amazing. We have also had some great social media content in the build-up to your games, our fans have come out in force and that's partly due to our media been incredible the amount of work everyone's put is a beautiful country and it's been great to explore when we've had some downtime and because it's quite an expensive place, it just makes us even more grateful to the fans who have come out. We know it's a lot of money to some people and that just makes us appreciate the amazing support we have had even more. Attention turns to England All of our attention is now obviously on the England game and we are excited to have another opportunity to go out there on the world stage and show what Wales can are expecting a brilliant atmosphere and I am excited to feel that energy from our amazing fans that have been with us throughout the tournament so are looking forward to it, but we're just going to focus on ourselves. We want to get better game by game and that's what we're going to do for this final course, we want to win the game, you want to go out for every football game and aim to win and it's going to be no different for us, but I think first and foremost, we want to build on that last performance and take that into the next game. If we do that, anything can the same time, I think, you know, you've got to be mindful of where we are as a women's team. I think if you look at England and how many games they have played compared to how many games our national team has played, it's a pretty big there is always going to be that rivalry and we've got that Welsh spirit and that Welsh pride that we're definitely going to bring into the game, we are really looking forward to experiences we have had in our first major tournament will hopefully stand us in good stead going forward, I think it is going to be got such a mix in this team of youth and experience. So it's invaluable for every single member of this squad to experience something like this want to be able to pass it on to the younger girls coming through, that major tournament experience and feeling. I truly believe this isn't going to be a one-qualification wonder. I really do believe that this is going to be like a catalyst for the next generation of young Welsh talent. I think it's a pivotal moment for Welsh women's football. Our unsung hero and our superstar I will end by quickly mentioning a couple of players who have had a big part to play here in Switzerland for I will start with my fellow defender Esther plays with an intelligence far beyond her years, it is hard to believe she is only got an extremely high football intelligence and IQ and she's had a stormer of a tournament for injuries Esther has dealt with have been awful, she's overcome that adversity and to put in the quality performances like she has, it's such a credit to so nice to see that she's been able to get herself fit and back for this tournament, it's been who else could possibly have scored our first major tournament goal than Jess Fishlock?it was always going to be written in the stars and I'm just so happy for her.I don't think we can emphasise enough what she has given this team, the dedication she has shown for 19 years.I saw before the tournament that Jess said that the struggle to help get Wales to a major-finals has taken part of her her to score that goal for the team, it was an absolute career highlight for us I'm just so proud and happy for her. The whole of Wales is proud and happy for her.
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales excited for 'biggest rivalry' as they get set for England
Forward Hannah Cain says Wales' rivalry with England adds an extra dimension to Sunday's key group D know a victory over Wales will take them to the quarter-finals of Euro 2025, with Wales' hopes of progressing resting on an improbable four goal victory over England and the Netherlands losing to who was born in England and represented them at youth level, says a win would be "unbelievable," for Wales at their first major tournament."It's our biggest rivalry and something we are so excited for," Cain told BBC Sport Wales."A win for Wales could really upset the group and that is what we will go for."We know it could be historic for Wales and damaging for England and also we're not actually out of the group yet either, so we've also got that to play for." Cain says Wales' players have not yet accepted elimination from Switzerland, even though the odds are stacked against them."It's mathematically difficult, but it's not mathematically over," she said."As much as it could be devastating for England, it could be absolutely unbelievable for us. We won't be going into the game thinking anything other than play your heart out, leave everything on the pitch and I firmly believe that if we do that, we will get every opportunity to get the result that we want."England is the biggest rivalry that we have and for me it's exciting. I love it and I like the pressure that comes with it." Fellow forward Ffion Morgan says Wales want to show that they are "not just the little one next door," as they chase a first ever victory against a top 10 ranked nation."We're neighbours and Wales have always been the smaller country, or seen as the smaller country, and we're definitely not that," she explained."So from a Welsh point of view we want to show who we are and what we can bring. We're not just the little one next door, we are just as important as England and that's kind of the fire in our forward Lauren Hemp says the reigning champions will not take the threat of Wales lightly, despite them being the lowest ranked side in Switzerland."We definitely won't go into the game complacent," she told BBC Sport."Wales have done well in this tournament and deserve to be here. We have so much respect for them."They have a lot of great players who I have experienced playing against week-in, week-out in the Women's Super League."They have a good team but we also know we have a good team as well and have so many strengths. We have looked at their strengths and what we can do to make sure we can deliver the best England performance."
