Party time for Welsh supporters
JUBILANT Welsh fans painted Bordeaux red last night after watching their heroes win their first game in a major tournament for more than half a century.
Thousands partied before, during and after the match with Slovakia in the famous wine city with fans from both sides mingling happily in what was a relaxed, family-friendly affair.
Those Welsh supporters lucky enough to get into the stadium gave Chris Coleman’s boys a noisy reception and a stirring rendition of Land Of My Fathers.
The crowd erupted into cheers after 10 minutes when Gareth Bale hammered home a free-kick to put his side 1-0 up.
The party went flat for a while after Slovakia equalised early in the second half, but the Welsh fans quickly found their voice again after Hal Robson-Kanu netted the winner in the 81st minute.
After the game, bars along the Quai de la Douane and Quai Richelieu were lined with Welsh flags and packed with thousands of celebrating fans, who sang a rendition of Frankie Valli’s I Love You Baby – changing the chorus to I Love You Walesy.
Among those enjoying the atmosphere was Bryn Thomas, originally from Anglesey, but now based in Birmingham.
The 61-year-old said: “I never thought I would see anything like this. It’s just breathtaking. I was three when Wales were in the World Cup last and it might surprise you to learn I don’t remember all that much of
it.”