(Photo: Sky Sports)
Wales at the Euros… again!
After what has seemed an eternity for football fans across the continent, the delayed 2020 European Championship is just around the corner, with Robert Page’s Wales squad beginning their campaign on the 12th July vs Switzerland in Baku, Azerbaijan. Following this, Cymru take on a highly rated Turkey squad in Baku again next Wednesday, with the group stage concluding in Rome next Sunday against 2006 World Champions Italy. On 30th May, after months of speculation and anticipation, Page submitted Wales’ final 26-man squad set to compete in EURO 2020, which has been at the forefront of conversation among The Red Wall and beyond this past week. Despite an impressive start to Page’s tenure as Cymru caretaker manager, the roster of outstanding teams on display in this year’s tournament will prove to be his toughest challenge yet.
Cymru’s 26
Many players who were integral to Wales’ 2016 success will once again have their chance to shine on the European stage. Cymru star man and Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale finished the season strong after enjoying 11 goals in 20 appearances on loan at Spurs. Alongside Bale, Juventus midfielder and arguably Wales’ most valuable asset Aaron Ramsey is selected, despite only playing one game for the nation since EURO qualification. Joe Allen and Ben Davies are among the other members of the class of 2016 who were selected by Page to take part in this year’s tournament, hoping they can replicate the strong performances that helped Wales reach the semi-finals in France, 5 years ago.
New Boys
Wales are going into this year’s tournament with the 3rd youngest squad on average, yet despite the lack of experience, the new boys have relished their opportunities, putting in impressive performances in their respective domestic leagues. Swansea’s Ben Cabango and Liverpool’s Neco Williams, who have both broken onto the scene this season, will likely feature at important points throughout the tournament to help Wales progress. Despite not being among the younger players in Cymru’s 26, Cardiff ace Kieffer Moore played a pivotal role in propelling Wales to EURO 2020 qualification, as well as scoring 20 goals for Cardiff this season; the first player to do so since the late Cardiff City legend Peter Whittingham in 2010. Moore will likely lead the line in a preferable 4-2-3-1 formation, unless Page decides to play with a false 9, which will cause controversy among fans.
The selection that took us all by surprise was the shock call-up of Cardiff City starlet Rubin Colwill; the 19-year-old that only made his debut for the club in February. Despite his international inexperience, Colwill has blown away Welsh fans (and bluebirds!), who have been following his career progression, and with the world watching, he perhaps won’t get a better chance to impress.
The Verdict
Although fans will be tempted to compare this year’s campaign to 2016, a clean slate must be established. The fact of the matter is that Wales’s EURO 2020 campaign will only be the country’s 2nd in 62 years, and the excitement of returning to the competition for a second time running is incomparable. Cymru am Byth!
Credit - Rory Chapman
