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Wales Online
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Wales' opponents make telling confession about Welsh anthem at Euro 2025
Wales' opponents make telling confession about Welsh anthem at Euro 2025 'For us, it's really hard to explain the pride and the joy of the other day," explained Fishlock. Rhiannon Roberts, Jess Fishlock and Gemma Evans of Wales sing their national anthem (Image: Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images ) Wales legend Jess Fishlock says Netherlands players got more goosebumps during the Welsh national anthem than when listening to their own. Cymru lost 3-0 to the Dutch in their first-ever match at a major women's tournament at Euro 2025, but the day will forever be remembered as the moment history was made, along with the immense support of the Red Wall. Welsh supporters marched in their thousands to Allmend Stadion in Lucerne, Switzerland, singing Yma O Hyd, 'Don't Take Me Home' and other popular football chants and songs. The sea of red carried that energy into the ground, giving Rhian Wilkinson and the players a resounding welcome upon arrival. Wilkinson even said it was so intense it left her "intimidated and emotional". Before kick-off there was a stunning rendition of the Welsh national anthem. Article continues below Speaking in a press conference on Monday, Fishlock revealed Wales' opponents were moved more by Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau than their own national anthem. 'For us, it's really hard to explain the pride and the joy of the other day," explained Fishlock. "The march, the fans and the anthem. And you have opposition players telling you that they had more goosebumps for your anthem than their anthem. 'It's hard to not run away with that. The Red Wall were in full force! (Image: (Photo by) ) "Especially with the pride that we have being Welsh and for being here. "Going through that in the first game, and allowing that experience will only make the next game better for us. We know what to expect now. 'You can talk about dealing with those things all you want, but until you're in it, and you feel it, it's going to be really hard to understand all of that. 'We did the best we could do in the moment and now we get to learn from that moment as well. "Our historic event that nobody can take away from us. 'Now, we get to try and do something special on Wednesday.' Wales fans fill the streets in Lucerne Article continues below Wales face France on Wednesday, before a date with England on Sunday evening. Both matches are taking place in St Gallen. Wales must avoid defeat against France if they are to have any hope of remaining in the tournament.
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson left 'intimated and emotional' by fierce Red Wall support at Euro 2025
Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson left 'intimated and emotional' by fierce Red Wall support at Euro 2025 Welsh fans marched in their thousands to Allmend Stadion. Despite suffering defeat, Wilkinson took time to pay thanks to the Welsh support in Switzerland. (Image: (Photo by Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) ) The Red Wall were so fierce in Wales' Euro 2025 opener that manager Rhian Wilkinson says she felt "intimidated and emotional". While Cymru may have suffered a 3-0 loss at the hands of Netherlands, the unwavering support in Lucerne was simply superb. The antics started with a pre-match march to the stadium from the fan zone, with waves of orange and red flowing through the streets and bringing the city to a standstill. Welsh fans belted out epic renditions of Yma O Hyd, Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau and 'Don't Take Me Home', setting an exhilarating tone for the day's action. The atmosphere spilled into the stadium, too, with The Red Wall's song emphasised by the acoustics within Allmend Stadion. Then, Wilkinson entered the field to greet the fans ahead of kick-off, and she was met with a thunderous reaction. Wilkinson looked visibly shocked despite her grateful smile, with cheers roaring on as she exited the field. The players received an equally rapturous applause from the fans once it was their turn to enter the field, smiling and laughing to each other at just how good the occasion was. Article continues below Speaking in her post-match press conference, Wilkinson acknowledged how good the fans were. "Even better," said Wilkinson, when asked whether the support was as good as the players had dreamt of. "I spoke to the players before the game as well, and I said: 'These people have shown up to thank you for getting them there. "They want to see you give it everything you have and they're right there behind you.' And that's exactly what they did. "From the second I walked out before the players, I got a little bit intimidated, it was quite emotional! "And of course it was for the players as well. So a huge thank you to all the fans here and back home. "Of course, we want to push our standards and make sure to get the game a little tighter and make our moments count in these two games. "But, a huge thank you to the crowd tonight and the Dutch fans, what a cool atmosphere for both teams." Vivianne Miedema bagged her 100th goal for Netherlands to break the deadlock against Wales, with further strikes from Esme Brugts and Victoria Pelova securing the win. Article continues below Welsh supporters will have been concerned to see Ceri Holland with a suspected injury in the second half, but Wilkinson confirmed it was simply a cramp. And while it may have been a loss, Cymru made history with their first-ever appearance at a major women's football tournament. Up next are some tough tasks against France and England in Group D, with both matches set to take place in St Gallen.
Wales Online
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Thousands of marching Wales fans bring Swiss city streets to standstill in stunning scenes
Thousands of marching Wales fans bring Swiss city streets to standstill in stunning scenes Wales fans descended upon Lucerne's 16,000-capacity stadium ahead of a massive game. Welsh football fans brought the streets of Lucerne to a standstill as they marched to the stadium ahead of Wales Women's first-ever appearance at an international tournament. Supporters put on a remarkable display of support for the women's national team in Switzerland on Saturday afternoon ahead of their Euro 2025 clash with Netherlands. Rhian Wilkinson's side go up against the Dutch in their first group game of the competition today, and they'll be safe in knowledge the Red Wall are well and truly behind them. Starting at the fan zone outside Lucerne train station, Wales and Netherlands fans walked in unison to the Allmend Stadion, a 2.5km journey ahead of the 5pm (UK time) kick-off. Welsh and Dutch colours filled the streets of the Swiss city as supporters danced and sang together in a show of unity. Bucket hats, Welsh anthems and a real sense of togetherness were very much the order of the day. Cymru belted out renditions of the national anthem, alongside Yma O Hyd and 'Don't Take Me Home' as Welsh colours filled the streets with song. Article continues below The Dutch bus started at the front blasting music from the speakers, while Wales set up behind them with a more orchestral approach to the soundtrack of the march. One young girl was even performing keepy-ups at the front of Wales' march. Bystanders watched on from their flat balconies as fans flooded through the streets on the way to the ground. The summer sun was beating down on supporters in glorious scenes, with a scenic backdrop of the Swiss mountains welcoming fans to the stadium. Content cannot be displayed without consent Content cannot be displayed without consent Earlier in the day a Wales supporters' team played a match at the fan zone's football pitch, with games going until 1pm. Wales face Netherlands this evening, with France and England to come next week in St Gallen. Whatever the result tonight, what these players and coaches have done for the women's game in Wales will forever be seen as a huge positive. Marches are also set to take place for those matches in St Gallen, with the Red Wall set to push Cymru on through the group stage. For the marches there, fans will need to take a bus from the fan zone to the start of the walk or take a train from St. Gallen to Winkeln train station, with the walk situated just one minute from there. Outside the ground, there will be fan activities and an opportunity to meet fellow supporters. While the FAW want everyone to be comfortable in what they wear to the fan walks, they encourage everyone to wear red to enforce the presence of the Red Wall inside the stadium. Throughout the tournament, the fan walks will take place around two hours before kick-off. Fans can stay updated on the FAW's official WEURO 25 WhatsApp channel. The fan zone in Lucerne lit up on Friday night with performances from Welsh artists Liss Jones and Aleighcia Scott. WalesOnline spoke to Welsh supporters, who were overjoyed to be a little part of history. Read more here. Article continues below Zara, a 16-year-old from Swansea, said: "It's sort of unbelievable. I don't think it will sink in until we are out there in the stadium. You can see how many Welsh fans have travelled out here, it really is crazy. The team really deserve this, they've worked so hard for so many years and yeah, I can't wait now!" The FAW also handed out free bucket hats to Wales supporters in Switzerland, giving them out near the fan zone on Saturday morning.
