Euro 2016: Wales raise their game
“This is how to ignore your population size, your status in world football, the pressure of the occasion,” said Paul Hayward in The Daily Telegraph. When Wales came up against Belgium – the team ranked second in the world – in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, they refused to be cowed. They simply raised their game “to a level they have never reached before”, crushing the Belgians 3-1. What a glorious achievement, said Henry Winter in The Times. And all the more glorious because this is the first time Wales have even qualified for the Euros. However their tournament ends, it will go down as one of the greatest moments in their sporting history.
When Wales arrived at the Euros, all eyes were on their sole superstar, said David Hytner in The Observer. And Gareth Bale has lived up to expectations, scoring three goals and marauding constantly down the pitch. More surprisingly, the once media-shy forward has come of age as a “charismatic leader”: he delighted in baiting England, and seems to be enjoying himself “as never before”. Yet this is no “one-man team”, said Barney Ronay in The Guardian. Liverpool’s Joe Allen has proven himself to be a “high-class midfielder”; Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has been “a sniping, scurrying menace”. Yet the most remarkable thing about this side is its complete lack of egos, said Ian Ladyman in the Daily Mail: a Championship footballer has as big a role to play as a Champions League winner. Although nine Wales players were actually born in England – Ashley Williams, their inspirational captain, has just one Welsh grandparent – the core of the side have been friends since they played for the Welsh youth teams; so strong is their unity, their belief in each other, that even the more modest talents have played out of their skin. Their astonishing second goal against Belgium came from a Cruyff turn and sublime finish by Hal Robson-kanu – a former Championship forward who is currently unemployed.
None of this would be possible without Wales’s gifted manager, Chris Coleman, said Martin Samuel in the same paper. The former Fulham coach has made the most of a “shallow pool of talent” by communicating properly with his players, telling each of them exactly what they should be doing. He has drilled the side in the essentials of the modern game, ensuring they defend compactly and rush forward on the counter-attack. It’s enough to make any England fan very jealous indeed, said Oliver Holt in The Mail on Sunday. Wales have leaders like Williams. “England have none.” Wales have mental strength. “England have none.” England have “an undying sense of entitlement”. Wales have none. They are now, without doubt, Britain’s best national side.