Tough Swiss loss left Wales star Fishlock questioning future
After losing in a World Cup play-off final against Switzerland in 2022, Fishlock was left questioning her career in the game.
'I didn't really know what to do and I remember being with my mum and I was just crying, saying 'I just don't think I can do this again',' said Fishlock.
'There were so many campaigns where we were almost there, and I just didn't think I could do it again.'
However, Fishlock and the Wales squad are now preparing for a first ever appearance at a major tournament.
Rhian Wilkinson's side are one of 16 nations competing in this summer's European Championships and Wales open their campaign against the Netherlands on Saturday.
Euro 2025: Together Stronger airs on BBC One at 10.40pm on tomorrow and the programme will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
'Hard day for us' - Portugal's tribute to Jota at Euro 2025
"Of course, if we had the possibility to change everything, we would change everything for sure. But this is a hard day for us."Portugal boss Francisco Neto joined in the tributes to Diogo Jota as thousands of fans also paid their respects during the team's Euro 2025 opener against forward Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, both died early on Thursday morning when the Lamborghini car they were travelling in crashed in the Spanish province of an emotional evening, a heartfelt rendition of Portugal's national anthem was followed by an impeccably observed minute's silence before kick-off, during which a black-and-white image of Jota was displayed on the big stadium screens in Bern."It was a really tough day to play football, because this life is much more than a game, much more than football," said Portugal forward Jessica Silva."Of course everyone is sad. It's heavy, my heart is heavy - much more important things than playing a game."Portugal fans held up placards with messages paying tribute to the player who is also being mourned in Liverpool, while both sets of players wore black having relentless support from their fans throughout the 90 minutes, Portugal fell to a 5-0 defeat in Bern as world champions and tournament favourites Spain began their pursuit for a first European in his post-match news conference, coach Neto, who appeared to hold back tears during the minute's silence, described Jota as a devoted supporter of the women's side."Diogo followed our team because he loved the county," said Neto, who explained he first met Jota while coaching at under-19 level."Diogo always, when I talked to him, always knew the result. He followed the team, some players and this is the culture we have in Portugal."Today is a really, really sad day because two of us lost our lives. So young. It is not a good day." 'Thank you for everything, Diogo' Before the game, Portugal winger Silva posted a tribute on social media, saying: "Diogo wasn't just a great player. He was one of the good ones – loyal, thoughtful, humble."Football is poorer without him, and so are we."After the game, she added: "I knew Diogo and he was a really kind person - much more than a player, much more than a star, he was a guy always paying attention, always ready to give a word for the team and well, it's sad."After the final whistle, the Portugal players lined up together to hold a banner to mark Joto's death. Its message - "Thank you for everything Diogo Jota, rest in peace" - was reflected by the sombre feeling in the made his senior debut for Portugal in 2019 and went on to score 14 goals in 49 internationals, being a member of two squads that won Nations League titles - the second of those victories came only last month."As a person he was very humble, very kind and he liked us and was always watching us and rooting for us. He meant a lot to us and it's very sad," Portugal forward Diana Silva added."He's one of us, so I think the team is feeling the moment quite a bit." 'I couldn't stop crying' News of the tragic deaths overshadowed the build-up to Portugal's tournament trying to soak up the atmosphere in Bern's fan zone, Portugal supporters struggled to process the fan Melanie, who had tickets for the game, fought back tears as she said: "I can't explain it, but as soon as I heard it I started crying."He's one of us of course, but the question is he was so young, he had three kids, he just got married."I'm so sorry. You just start thinking, you really have to enjoy your life because in three seconds, everything can end."Jota recently married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children. He posted pictures on social media of the ceremony, which took place on 22 a Portugal fan who shared his name with the player, said the news "hurts a lot", adding: "He was really important, he was the new generation, the golden generation of Portugal. We will miss him."
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
‘One of our own': How grieving Portugal remembered ‘eternal' Diogo Jota at Euro 2025
From the darkness, Portugal were faced with an impossible task: to bring some light into the world after the heartbreaking tragedy of losing one of their own. The death of Diogo Jota, killed in a car crash with his brother Andre Silva in the early hours of Thursday morning, had shaken the Portugal team when they woke up on the morning of their opening match of Euro 2025 against Spain. Afterwards, a 5-0 defeat to the world champions barely scratches the surface in the face of such a loss. 'Today is a sad day,' the Portugal head coach Francisco Neto said. 'To lose two lives, so young, of course it is hard. We are thinking of the family.' For Neto, and for many players in the Portugal team, this felt personal too. Neto had previously worked with Jota when in charge of Portugal's Under-19s, and they had stayed in touch as he went on to make 49 appearances for Portugal's senior team and star in the Premier League for Liverpool. In turn, Jota followed their results and kept track of the progress of the Navegadoras. 'Diogo, when we talked, he always knew the results,' Neto remembered with a smile. Jota's support of the women's team was a matter of pride for him. 'This is the culture we have in Portugal, the culture we are building,' he said. In the hours before kick-off against Spain, almost every Portugal player posted a broken heart emoji or message on Instagram. In forward Jessica Silva's tribute to Jota, she called him 'one of our own'. At the end of their 5-0 defeat, some of Portugal's players went into their stands behind the far goal and emerged with a banner. 'Thank you for everything Diogo Jota,' it read. There is a chance that only a few of Portugal's players had crossed paths with Jota, but it was clear the warmth and humility that has been spoken about by his team-mates and coaches shone through to them as well. "Diogo wasn't just a star,' Silva continued. 'It was the good, the faithful, the attentive, the simple ... of those who don't need noise to mark their presence! Football has gone poorer ... and so are we. You will never be forgotten." The shock of Jota's death reinforces the idea that life, like a match, a major tournament and a football career, can be fragile and fleeting. And the moments where life can feel all the more precious, where you want to hold the most important people a little closer, those are the times that can also put football into some perspective, while bringing others together. The story of an emotional night in Bern was in one part the sense of grief and mourning, but there was also the irrepressible noise of the Portugal fans and the manner in which they bounced and sang, as if determined to embrace what they had. It began in poignant silence to remember the brothers, broken only by a beautifully solemn ripple of applause that worked its way around the whole stadium. The Portugal fans in green and red then chanted Jota's name, with a strip of supporters holding up letters spelling out "Rest in peace, Diogo Jota". Another read: 'You took the name of Portugal beyond borders, now it's our turn to raise your name.' One simply stated: 'Eternal Diogo Jota'. It took less than two minutes for Spain to score, as Esther Gonzalez controlled a long pass with her shoulder and flicked her finish into the net to set the tone for a dominant night. Portugal were second best to Spain throughout, just as, one may suspect, many teams at Euro 2025 will be. The world champions put on an impressive, professional opening performance, lit up by Alexia Putellas. Injured on the eve of the Euros three years ago, Putellas is playing as if she is desperate to make up for lost time. She scored Spain's third and was named player of the match, with Gonzalez scoring twice, the 18-year-old Vicky Lopez adding one and Cristina Martin-Prieto finding the fifth in stoppage time. They played at a level that Portugal could not match. 'We were not able to put pressure on Spain,' Neto admitted. 'We know this was a very strong team.' But they were not dealing with what Portugal faced. And still, even as Portugal trailed in the 88th minute and with hope long gone, their supporters held up scarves and defiantly sang the national anthem. If it looked a little bit like a rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone', there was a significance there as well: that, after all, was the message Portugal wanted to send.
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Caerphilly secondary school pupils win STEM challenge
The group from St Martin's School in Caerphilly will now enjoy a VIP visit to Silverstone after winning the British Council's Learning Sectors competition. Supported by Formula 1, the programme connects schools in the UK, South Africa, and India to tackle real-world science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) challenges. Francisco Lopez, lead teacher at St Martin's School, said: "What started as a small school project quickly grew beyond expectations. "The students worked independently, reached out to experts such as Welsh Water and developed not just one idea but a range of thoughtful, realistic solutions. "They learned that global issues like water scarcity aren't just engineering problems – they involve people, politics, and empathy." The Caerphilly pupils partnered with Hoërskool Koffiefontein in South Africa, whose students highlighted a serious water supply issue in their town. Through video calls and research, the Welsh students developed a plan addressing technical solutions and the broader social and economic context of the crisis. In return, the South African pupils explored the UK's cost of living crisis, focusing on ways to reduce energy and heating costs. Mr Lopez said the win was a shock. He said: "I was over the moon – especially for the students. "I ran to tell the headteacher. "The competition across the UK was fierce, and honestly, I didn't expect to win. "I had to read the announcement email twice. "This is a memory they'll carry for the rest of their lives. "Some are big F1 fans and they couldn't believe they'd be VIP guests." As part of their prize, the eight-strong team – four boys and four girls – will meet Formula 1 engineers, tour the paddock, and see how STEM is used in elite motorsport. The Learning Sectors programme aims to reach 700 schools worldwide in its first year.
