Levitt out to make history

Dylan Levitt was a fresh-faced school pupil when Wales last performed at a major finals. Firmly in enemy territory – a boy from Bodelwyddan, near Rhyl, surrounded by his English classmates – he roared on the Dragons as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against the Three Lions in the group phase of Euro 2016.

He then lapped up every moment of their triumph over Belgium in the quarter-finals alongside his mates.

And a fire was lit in Levitt’s belly.

Already on the books of Manchester United, he was determined to emulate his heroes like Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen. He would make the grade and represent Wales on the biggest stage.

That goal will be realised next week when Rob Page’s charges embark upon their Group B campaign alongside the USA, Iran and, fittingly, England; felicitous for Levitt, as he recalls that game six years ago.

“I watched the (Euro 2016) group stage game against England at school… in England,” said Levitt, smiling.

“I had it up on my phone, watching in school.

“It was all good when we went 1-0 up. When school finished, the game was still going on. I had to sprint

home to get it up on the TV and finish watching it.

“Then the Belgium one, I watched it with all my friends when we won 3-1.

“Ever since then, I’ve always wanted to be involved in a major tournament with Wales.”

Levitt spins through the names of Bale, Ramsey, Allen and, although he has since retired, Ashley Williams – legends of the Welsh game after reaching the last four in France.

Indeed, there was an understandable moment of being starstruck when he first linked up with those players.

But the Wales “family” ensured that feeling was fleeting – and now he is one of 26 men who will end a 64-year wait to participate in a World Cup.

“That 2016 team were just amazing,” continued Levitt. “Being involved in the same squad as them was massive to me.

“I was a bit shocked when I got called up for the first time alongside those guys.

“I idolised guys like Aaron Ramsey, Gareth Bale and Joe Allen. Ashley Williams as well, who I was in a couple of camps with.

“But Wales as a nation are together. It’s like a family. It’s so easy to make yourself feel at home from day one. That is what happened for me.”

For all Levitt is proud and humbled by the prospect of realising a boyhood dream, he is determined not to be overawed by the experience.

That Dragons side in 2016 shocked the continent by reaching the semi-final, dumping a star-studded Belgium outfit along the way.

And Wales are not in the Middle East just to make up the numbers this time, either.

“We made history at the Euros in 2016,” said Levitt.

“This is a major tournament and anything can happen.

“Everyone is going to Qatar fit and ready to go, and determined to write our names in history again.

“We earned the right to get there – so you’ve got to stick at it and try to do well.

“We need to focus on every game, give our best and make the nation proud.”

MAGIC MOMENT: Gareth Bale celebrates after putting Wales 1-0 up against England at Euro 2016, which Dylan Levitt watched on his phone.