WALES WINS GLOBAL PRAISE AS REAL MADRID CLINCH CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CROWN
AFTER MADRID EXTEND THEIR PURPLE REIGN IN CARDIFF, CAN FAW STEP IN TO REPLACE BRUSSELS?
WALES are ready to seize a possible back-door opportunity to become one of the host nations for Euro 2020 following the phenomenal success of Saturday night’s Champions League final in Cardiff.
UEFA powerbrokers left the Welsh capital bowled over by the fantastic atmosphere inside the Principality Stadium and the warm Welsh hospitality they and fans received outside as Real Madrid thumped Juventus 4-1.
And reports have surfaced that Cardiff could be back in the frame to stage matches in the next Euro finals because of complications surrounding the building of a new stadium in Brussels.
The FA of Wales were bitterly disappointed to miss out on being one of 13 countries named as hosts for the tournament, which is being housed in different venues to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the European Championships.
FAW boss Jonathan Ford put that down to politics, with Wembley, Hampden Park and Dublin’s Aviva Stadium chosen from Britain and Ireland.
However, doubts have emerged over whether Brussels, another of the chosen cities, can continue as one of the 13 venues. The proposed new ground for Euro 2020, the Eurostadium in Grimbergen, just north of the Belgian capital, has yet to be built after intended tenant club Anderlecht pulled out.
Anderlecht’s sudden refusal to become involved puts the whole Eurostadium project in jeapordy.
Reports say if Brussels is withdrawn, Wales are being lined up as first reserve by UEFA. That could give Gareth Bale and his teammates the opportunity to follow up their stunning exploits at Euro 2016 with matches in front of their home fans next time.
UEFA confirmed they are aware of the Brussels issue and it was meant to be raised at an executive meeting held in the Welsh capital on Thursday, although it is unclear if any provisional talks have taken place with the FA of Wales.
Cardiff and the Principality Stadium were said to be on trial with the Champions League final and passed with flying colours as fans and officials talked glowingly of their Welsh experience.
The Brussels complication for Euro 2020 was being spoken about at the Champions League final and Wales’ First Minister Carwyn Jones confirmed: “I have heard the rumour. Brussels might not be ready, if that is the case UEFA know there is a fantastic stadium and city waiting in the wings.
“We would be happy to be involved in this,” continued Mr Jones, who gave Wales’ hosting of the Champions League a 10 out of 10 mark. “The profile of an event like the Champions League, or Euro 2020 possibly, gives Wales something you almost can’t measure. “People came here for the first time on Saturday and spoke highly of the experience. People are talking about Wales. The more people take an interest in Wales, the more likely they and others are to visit. “These big sporting occasions do cost, of course, but there are real benefits in terms of our profile and also financially. You can expect, in terms of financial benefit, potentially three to four times more to be put back into the local economy.” UEFA will have 20 teams competing at Euro 2020 at what they are calling “a party across Europe” to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the tournament. The 13 chosen cities are London, Glasgow, Dublin, Munich, Rome, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Budapest, St Petersburg, Brussels, Bilbao, Bucharest and the Azerbaijan capital of Baku. A UEFA spokesperson told the Daily Mail, who reported that Brussels may miss out: “There are some concerns about the Eurostadium project, yet it is still possible to finish it within the agreed timetable.” BETTER THAN EVEN THE 2005 GRAND SLAM: Why Saturday was so magical – SportWales