Passionate Welsh call from Ifans touched all our hearts
JAMES REVEALS HOW SPEECH LIFTED TEAM
JORDAN JAMES believes Rhys Ifans’ impassioned pre-match speech helped Wales book their Euro 2024 play-off final spot.
The BAFTA-acclaimed actor was invited to speak to Rob Page’s squad before Thursday’s crunch clash with Finland.
Ifans – star of films such as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Notting Hill and Twin Town – evoked Welsh “ghosts” of yesteryear in a four-minute unscripted cameo that received a huge round of applause from the Red Dragons.
His words have been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on social media, and James said that the 56-year-old struck exactly the right note as Wales thumped the visitors 4-1.
The Birmingham midfielder said: “Did it inspire us? Yes, it was unbelievable.
“I got goosebumps when he was talking – all the lads would say the same.
“It really touched the heart and showed how much qualification means to the supporters and every Welsh person around the world.
“To have the fans’ backing is really important and it helped us a lot.”
James, who was a £4million target for Atalanta during the January transfer window, is now facing the biggest test of his career against Poland on Tuesday night, with a place in the finals up for grabs.
Despite his tender years, he has cemented a spot in manager Page’s midfield alongside Leeds’ Ethan Ampadu, 23, who became the youngest player to reach the 50-cap mark for Wales when he started against the Finns.
James added: “We knew we had to get the job done.
“We were able to do it in good fashion, which will only give us confidence. To get to big tournaments you have to win big games. We are 90 minutes away. It sounds so good to say it – it’s all I’ve ever dreamed of and to be one game away is mesmerising.”
David Brooks, one of the scorers, said that while Wales will be mindful of the threat posed by Robert Lewandowski and company, the Poles will also have to be watchful of Page’s front line. “We’re halfway there,” said Brooks. “The aim was to get to the Euros and we’ve got one more game.
“Poland are a good team with good players but we’re a good team with good players.
“They will be looking at us as a threat – this is a Wales team with plenty of firepower.
“Dan James and Kieffer Moore have been in good form but were both on the bench.
“As a player you want to give the gaffer a headache and all the lads possess that. Whoever he picks in the front three will cause them problems.
“There are goals in this team and, whoever is chosen, they will be a threat.”