WALES VERSUS EUROPE - THE BIG KICK-OFF
HOW WILL BALE AND HIS TEAM FARE THIS TIME?
LIFE inside a Covid-19 bubble at a major footballing tournament comes with significant challenges.
Wales players are continuing to adapt to their new surroundings in Azerbaijan ahead of their Euro 2020 group stages matches against Switzerland and Turkey in the city of Baku.
Due to coronavirus restrictions, players and staff are unable to mingle freely with the general public as they did so successfully in France five years ago.
But with four floors of their team hotel booked out to accommodate the 26-man squad and coaches, there’s ample space for those tasked with producing the goods for their country to enjoy themselves.
“It’s a surreal feeling to be out here, the hotel is all set up well, they’ve got everything in place and ready for us to stay for 10 days out here,” said Cardiff-born Swansea star Ben Cabango.
“It’s going to be a long time out here but everything is set up.”
As they did at their Dinard base in France for Euro 2016, Wales have once again plastered their hotel walls with Welsh branding to make their temporary base feel more like home.
“They’ve got ‘ Together Stronger’ all around the hotel so it feels like we are at home to be fair,” said Cabango.
“We have all messages on the walls, stuff in Welsh, stuff in English to make us feel like as at home as possible.”
Players’ mirrors in their bedrooms have even been emblazoned with personalised messages which include the “Gorau Chwarae Cyd Chwarae” motto.
“A nice little touch when you first get here, a little bit of home,” explained Joe Allen.
“It sums up what we’re about. In France, Together Stronger was obviously a huge motto for us and reflected well on us and even now it’s a message we roll with.”
Aaron Ramsey and Chris Gunter famously roomed together in the 2016 Euros, although current restrictions mean players are given their own individual rooms.
“Yeah, he did draw the short straw over that,” said Ramsey when discussing the trials and tribulations of pairing up with Gunter.
“We’re all in our rooms now so we’re spending a lot more time downstairs in the games room and stuff like that, so the chemistry between us all will still be there.”
Wales’ hotel is situated around three miles away from their training base at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium, while the Olympic Stadium is a short 20-minute drive
away.
Players will be put through their paces at the two stadiums during their stay in Baku. However, the remainder of their time in the Azerbaijani capital will be spent at their team hotel.
“It is a bit different but you’re going to be out playing, training, doing things, so it’s not going to be as bad as people think,” said Connor Roberts.
“It is different not having the fans here, not having that buzz outside the hotel. It’s going to be exciting nonetheless.”
The temperature will peak at around 28°C during Wales’ stay in Baku. That will no doubt cause problems when the Red Dragons lock horns with Switzerland at the Baku Olympic Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
Training sessions earlier in the week have remained intense and – while there has been some leeway in the stages after their arrival – the regime will be ramped up as the contest with Switzerland approaches.
“The heat is a factor so we can’t burn ourselves out,” admitted Roberts.
“At the moment just one session and chill out for the afternoon. One session today, maybe a couple later on in the week.
“Not many of our players play in hot countries. It is something new, but for me personally it does not really make a difference.
“We have a few days to train in it and see what it’s like. It’s going to be difficult but when you play for Wales you ignore the heat and surroundings and do all you can to win.”
The FAW carted over stacks of items including a dart board and table tennis equipment to help players keep themselves entertained.
They have also created a relaxation area which includes a marquee to allow players to enjoy the Baku sunshine as they unwind from the day’s training session.
Due to the regularity of Covid-19 testing, players are able to safely mix with each other within their own bubble.
Discussing group activities, Roberts said: “We can play games together, play pool, go into the swimming pool, play ping pong.
“We are all mates, we can play cards, Tom Lockyer was going around last night doing card tricks and that. He is very good, to be fair! He showed me about 10 times and I still don’t know what he does!”
For others, it’s about having the right equipment to ensure they do not feel bored or isolated when stuck within the confines of their own hotel room.
“I’ve brought my PoGa [portable games console case], I just play WarZone with a few of the boys,” said Cabango.
“I do that in my room, speak to the boys over the mic. We’ve got a floor we can all meet up and stuff, so it’s all right.
“It’s like what I do at home, so it’s no different really. It’s really nice.”
Despite being in separate rooms, a large contingent of the 26-man squad have joined forces by taking inspiration from their surroundings in Baku.
“We’ve all got PlayStations so we’ve been playing online together,” revealed Adam Davies.
“We’ve actually been playing the F1 game, and we’ve all got wheels for it.
“There’s about eight or nine of us in that. We’ve set up our own Grand Prix and we’ve been playing the Baku course as well.
“David Brooks is really fast. It’s a little bit annoying actually because I’m probably the second-best out of everyone.
“When Brooksy’s behind me, I know he’s probably going to overtake me. We’re all in our own rooms and you can connect in to one lobby.”
While taking second on the makeshift Welsh Grand Prix grid is no mean feat, goalkeeper Davies has been given a huge responsibility to keep up morale in the camp.
The Stoke City shot-stopper has been assigned as the resident DJ within the camp, having improved on the decks since his time at Sheffield Wednesday.
“Gunts has given me the job in the last couple of years, have to listen for some mixes, get the lads up for the games,” explained the 28-year-old.
“All quite housey, very upbeat, try to get the lads going.
“I’ve got some decks at home, a friend of mine did some DJing at Sheffield Wednesday and I always wanted to learn.
“It took me a couple of years to get the gist of it. A hobby for spare time, love it.”
The Red Wall – praised for their impeccable behaviour in France at the most recent Euros – have been urged not to travel to Azerbaijan due to coronavirus restrictions.
Ultimately, Wales are in Baku to prepare for what is a mouthwatering contest against the Swiss this weekend before facing Turkey in the same city four days later.
And Rob Page’s troops are only too aware of the role their preparations will have when it comes to facing a Switzerland outfit who have won their last six matches on the spin.
“We’ve never really come to a major tournament like this [with coronavirus restrictions] before, obviously we’ve been in camp and it’s quite similar so far but the weather, a different city, it’s going to be interesting and enjoyable,” concluded Roberts.
“Hopefully we do all we can to give us that edge on game day. The main thing is just to try and hit the ground running, train well and get a good result on Saturday.”