Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson left 'intimated and emotional' by fierce Red Wall support at Euro 2025
Welsh fans marched in their thousands to Allmend Stadion.
Despite suffering defeat, Wilkinson took time to pay thanks to the Welsh support in Switzerland.
(Image: (Photo by Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) )
The Red Wall were so fierce in Wales' Euro 2025 opener that manager Rhian Wilkinson says she felt "intimidated and emotional". While Cymru may have suffered a 3-0 loss at the hands of Netherlands, the unwavering support in Lucerne was simply superb.
The antics started with a pre-match march to the stadium from the fan zone, with waves of orange and red flowing through the streets and bringing the city to a standstill. Welsh fans belted out epic renditions of Yma O Hyd, Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau and 'Don't Take Me Home', setting an exhilarating tone for the day's action.
The atmosphere spilled into the stadium, too, with The Red Wall's song emphasised by the acoustics within Allmend Stadion.
Then, Wilkinson entered the field to greet the fans ahead of kick-off, and she was met with a thunderous reaction.
Wilkinson looked visibly shocked despite her grateful smile, with cheers roaring on as she exited the field.
The players received an equally rapturous applause from the fans once it was their turn to enter the field, smiling and laughing to each other at just how good the occasion was.
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Speaking in her post-match press conference, Wilkinson acknowledged how good the fans were.
"Even better," said Wilkinson, when asked whether the support was as good as the players had dreamt of.
"I spoke to the players before the game as well, and I said: 'These people have shown up to thank you for getting them there.
"They want to see you give it everything you have and they're right there behind you.' And that's exactly what they did.
"From the second I walked out before the players, I got a little bit intimidated, it was quite emotional!
"And of course it was for the players as well. So a huge thank you to all the fans here and back home.
"Of course, we want to push our standards and make sure to get the game a little tighter and make our moments count in these two games.
"But, a huge thank you to the crowd tonight and the Dutch fans, what a cool atmosphere for both teams."
Vivianne Miedema bagged her 100th goal for Netherlands to break the deadlock against Wales, with further strikes from Esme Brugts and Victoria Pelova securing the win.
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Welsh supporters will have been concerned to see Ceri Holland with a suspected injury in the second half, but Wilkinson confirmed it was simply a cramp.
And while it may have been a loss, Cymru made history with their first-ever appearance at a major women's football tournament.
Up next are some tough tasks against France and England in Group D, with both matches set to take place in St Gallen.
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