At the start of EURO 2016, it was inconceivable that Wales, ranked 117 in the world in 2011, would be on the brink of becoming the first British team to qualify for the final of a major tournament in 50 years. The last was England. And it was on home soil when they qualified for the finals of 1966 world cup, which they eventually won. It is still their last triumph in both European and world football.
Wales, playing in their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, will play the biggest game in their history when they face Christiano Ronaldo’s Portgugal tonight in Stade de Lyon for a place in the final. England were the last British team to qualify for the final of a World Cup or European Championship.
One thing is clear, no matter the outcome, Chris Coleman’s Wales have already made history by coming this far.
Portugal, Wales’ semifinal hurdle, are a strange team. Still chasing its first major football trophy, Portgual are in the semifinal without winning a single match within regulation time. They drew all three group games before beating Croatia 1-0 after extra time in the last 16 and then stopped Poland 5-3 on penalties in the quarter-finals.
The Portuguese have reached the semifinal seven times in both the world cup and European Championship and this is their fourth semis in the last five European Championships. Portugal have also played the most games (33) in the history of the competition without ever winning it.
It goes to say that they have experience on their side. But would that be enough to subdue the Welsh who sent tournament co-favourites, Belgium home, stinging them 3-1? Belgium was the highest ranked side at the tournament.
It is doubtful, especially when one remembers that only France has scored more goals (11) than Wales (10) in the competition. Plus the fact that Wales have successfully dealt with better teams.
This notwithstanding, manager Coleman still see Portugal as favourites. “We’ll be the underdogs, but we believe in each other,” he said.
Jonathan Ford, chairman of the Football Association of Wales, taling about tonight’s game said: “It is history in the making, it’s a dream come true.
“These players will run through brick walls for us. This has been a fantastic demonstration of team spirit, team morale, teamwork.
“Sport and culture are the two things that really help us define Wales and the Welsh people.”
As they chase history, Wales will be without mercurial midfielder Aaron Ramsey. The Arsenal player is suspended for Wednesday’s game. He is partly instrumental for the success of the Wales team, scoring one goal and providing four assists. He was man of the match against the Belgium. Also not available is defender Ben Davies, who is likewise banned.
Coleman admits that the absence of both players would be a loss to the team.
“Some of Aaron Ramsey’s performances have been off the chart,” Coleman said. “Davies’ performances have been outstanding. Both players would be a loss to any team.
“But the attitude of the players who haven’t played has been fantastic and that has kept the dressing room really strong and kept the vibe really positive.”
Wales, in their quest, will be backed by more than 20,000 fans in Lyon – with fans travelling by road, sea and air to be a piece of their nation’s moment of history.
Portugal could also be without their most reliable defender, Pepe from Champions League winners, Real Madrid. He picked up a problem with his thigh muscle and did not train on Monday. He will direly be needed to keep mesmerizing Gareth Bale, who he knows well at Mardrid, in check.
Fellow defender, Jose Forte expects a tough game. “I know Gareth Bale from the Spanish league” said the Valencia midfielder. “I’ve also played against British teams in the past, so I know their way to play, their style.
“We are preparing to face a very strong Wales team. They attack very well. I think they counter-attack very well as well, but we will use our weapons the best way we can to beat them on Wednesday.”
All eyes will be on the Real Madrid superstars, Bale and Ronaldo. In some way this is a fight between the two, who continues to be under scrutiny, though both insist there is no rivalry between them.
Bale says team spirit rather than star quality has been key for Wales, nevertheless, the outcome of the game will largely depend on who outshines the other.
In any case, he cannot be faulted that team-spirit is greater in the Welsh team than with Ronaldo &Co. Maybe, therein lies the Welsh edge tonight.
Kick-off: 21.00 Hours (CET)
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