WE’LL NEVER FORGET THE SUMMER OF 2016
AWEEK after it all ended, we’re suffering from Euro 2016 withdrawal symptoms. And although we have been brought back down to earth the memories created will live on.
So, after a week marked by more political unrest, and unfolding tragedy, we asked Wales fans to remind us of France’s beauty, its wonderful people, the fabulous moments we shared with them and why they will forever remain in our hearts.
These are a few of our favourite memories: Partying with Belgian fans after we beat them and swapping shirts with them. Great fans. Dan Wood, 32, Cardiff A French couple stopped and squashed five of us in the back of their small car to give us a lift to the ground in Lille.
They were so happy to give us Welsh a lift. All they wanted in return was us to sing “please don’t take me home” so they could film us.
They commented that were their “second team”. Wales During the opening game, as they announced the Slovakian anthem would be played, all the Welsh fans making a “shhh” sound for quiet, then applauding once it was completed. Overcome by the generosity and warmth of the hosts in every city we went, I decided to address the par-p tisan crowd in their mother tongue at a Lyonnais nightclub at 5am the following morning after the semifinal.
“We may have lost the game, but we have won the hearts of a nation and made eternal friendships”.
This was followed by my attempt at an acapella rendition of Green, Green Grass of Home. As I left the stage, a fellow Welshman leaned over and said “Tackiest thing I’ve ever seen, pal.” We had some e breakfast at a café on the morning of the semi-fi- nal in Lyon n and, when n we left, the e owner of the e café came running out after us and threw a brand new adidas football towards us pointing that it was for me and shouting “Pays de Galles!” Tim Fry, 38, Risca Giving the Slovakia fans a standing ovation when they walked into the Holiday Inn bar after the game.
After the trouble involving England fans that preceded it, we showed how awesome Welsh fans can be. Watching the best Welsh team ever with the best fans in the world at the first match in Bordeaux. They are my football heroes. After the Northern Ireland game , walking into a Parisian bar r packed d with young French people – with a group of family and friends – and big groups of French standing up and applauding us. It was a magic moment. Tom Addiscott, 25, Aberdare Dancing and singing, along with the Welsh and Slovakians, to a brass band outside the stadium in Bordeaux, and singing with the Russians on the way to the stadium in Tou- louse.
I will forever remember how football brings gp peoplep together.g As a Welsh fan living in Dublin, the 16-hour delayed flight to Cardiff and the 16-hour car journey with the boys to Bordeaux was all worth it to be at the stadiums for the two group victories.
In Ireland they say they have the best fans in football, but I can’t see that being the case after Wales were at the Euros. Unbelievable support. Can’t wait for the World Cup qualifications. 1. 7am flight from Heathrow to Geneva that was half serious business people and half Wales fans and that ran out of alcohol within 30 mins of being airborne. Air hostess said to me: “Why does everyone want to drink this early in the morning?” 2. Packed train from Geneva to Lyon. Rammed with Wales fans.
One Wales fan from London ends up standing in the aisle next to two Portuguese fans and sharing his beer with them and chatting all the way to Lyon.
They discuss the merits of either team and the Portuguese say “Your team has mischief. Your team has a good vibe.” Their team has won throughout the tournament but is lacking good team spirit, so they say. 3. At the end of the Portugal v Wales match, five minutes before the whistle, we peg it from our seats all the way round the stadium to where the Welsh fans are sitting so we can join the singing.