HEADS HELD HIGH
WALES HEAD HOME HAVING DONE THE NATION PROUD AT EURO 2016:
A PARTY atmosphere continued in Cardiff last night as fans paid tribute to Wales for their outstanding, once unimaginable run in Euro 2016.
About 27,500 fans were at the Principality Stadium in the capital last night to watch history in the making as Wales appeared in their semi-final match against Portugal at the Stade des Lumières, in Lyon.
The 2-0 loss against Ronaldo’s men was not enough to dampen the spirits of the fans back home who have been in dreamland for the best part of a month. A sea of red flooded the top two tiers of the national stadium, which served as Cardiff’s official fanzone for the match.
And the venue proved extremely popular with the football fanbase, with many disappointed supporters having not been able to get a ticket.
Chants of “Please don’t take me home” and “Ain’t no body, like Joe Ledley” and a stirring rendition of the National Anthem before kick-off set the tone for what would be a memorable night for all, win or lose.
Huge cheers rang out across the stadium as the Welsh team was announced over the loud speakers, with particular joy at the mention of Gareth Bale and Hal Robson-Kanu.
It was truly a match-day atmosphere as fans of all ages came out in good spirts to cheer on an incredibly talented and hardworking group of players.
Carl Tittley, 27, from Pontpridd, with a Welsh flag draped around his shoulders, said: “It’s amazing how far Wales have come in this tournament.
“If they can get this far with the team they’ve got then they can do anything.”
Husband and wife Mark, 45, and Cath Linton, 45, from Barry, praised the team spirit among the players.
Mark said: “They’ve done brilliantly. It’s a team game and everyone has been playing their heart out. I think it will be hard to top this. They’re still a fairly young team and it’s not just Gareth Bale.”
Terry Fuller, 41, and Dan Hawkins, 33, from Caerphilly, said despite being a last-minute idea, the fanzone at the Principality Stadium was a good idea.
Terry added: “It’s great that they’ve decided to put this on. Wales just get better and better as the tournament goes on and we can’t ask much more of them. “We’re proud of them.” In what has been the biggest night in Welsh football history, as far as the fans are concerned, the team can walk away with thei heads held high and pride in their heart.