Ex-Wales centre Halaholo set for Tonga debut
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Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
Rhian Wilkinson insists Wales are ready for landmark Euro 2025
Rhian Wilkinson has declared that Wales are ready for their 'watershed moment' on a first major tournament stage at Euro 2025. Wales kick off their campaign against the Netherlands in Lucerne on Saturday evening as the lowest ranked team in the competition. While few expect Wales to progress from a daunting group that also includes reigning champions England and France, Wilkinson – the 181-times capped Canadian international of Welsh heritage – says the game has changed in the country forever. 'This is a wonderful team, great people, fantastic footballers, and we're going to be tested against some of the best in the world,' head coach Wilkinson said at her pre-match press conference. 'That's what we've been wanting. To showcase Wales as a country, this team and their talent. 'This is the first generation of Welsh player that is completely professionalised. 'That is something that changes the game at home in Wales, and that's what I'm excited about. This team gets to be the face of a watershed moment back home. 'To be able to stand next to them when they do that is one of the honours of my career. This team is ready, fit and excited.' Wilkinson says she has told her squad the identity of the historic Wales starting line-up at the Allmend Stadium. Former captain Sophie Ingle hopes to make her first appearance since damaging an anterior cruciate ligament in September, although Wilkinson conceded the midfielder is unlikely to play 90 minutes. The Netherlands – ranked 11th in the world and 19 places higher than Wales – possess both rich tournament pedigree, having won the Euros in 2017, and top players such as Manchester City forward Vivianne Miedema and Everton striker Katja Snoeijs. Wilkinson said: 'They are a top team, very fluid, and have some of the biggest stars in the game. 'They're really an enjoyable team to watch and I'm looking forward to challenging my team against them. 'We know we've got to be sharp and key moments count. 'Success for us is that the team shows up, is confident and just plays. That will be critical to Wales' success in this tournament.' But Wilkinson has dismissed the suggestion that the first game is all or nothing and that Wales' tournament rests on the outcome in Lucerne. She said: 'I've won Olympic medals losing first games. What sets the tone is working through the nerves and the excitement, and finding that flow. That's what is critical. 'Opening day nerves are normal, excitement is normal, and this team is handling it like seasoned pros. 'There's definitely an understanding this is a moment in Welsh history. Don't let it get too big, let it all in, and be there for that moment. 'We know we're not the biggest nation, but we are adaptable and we've earned the right to be here.'
Leader Live
2 hours ago
- Leader Live
Unsatisfactory scope scuppers Giavellotto's Newmarket defence
Marco Botti's stable star was a decisive winner of the Group Two feature on the opening day of the July Festival last season and rounded off his campaign with top-level success in the Hong Kong Vase. Having finished a creditable third in last month's Coronation Cup at Epsom, Giavellotto was being readied to defend his crown on the July Course before being scratched on Friday morning. Explaining his absence, Botti said: 'We scoped this morning, he had a few coughs and we weren't happy with the scope. Tomorrow (Saturday) he was meant to be doing a piece of work and we felt he wasn't going to be 100 per cent. 'It's disappointing because this race has been in my mind for a long time and there's not many left in the race, but on the other hand the horse's welfare comes first and if we feel he's not going to be 100 per cent, there is no point in going to the races. 'These things normally just take a few days and then they are OK and it's just unfortunate that we're so close to the race and were meant to gallop the horse tomorrow. We just felt it's not the right thing for the horse to gallop with a little bit of infection, but I'm sure it will clear up soon.' Botti is unsure where Giavellotto will make his next appearance, with a return to Sha Tin in early December top of his agenda. The trainer added: 'We have made an entry in a Group One in Germany in August and long-term we would obviously like to run him in Hong Kong, so we'll work backwards from that. 'As the season goes on into the autumn another thing we have to bear in mind is the ground, because he doesn't want it soft. 'He has an entry in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, but we made that entry a long time ago and I would say at this stage it's not a race we'll probably go for. All the other options will be considered and Hong Kong would be the priority basically.' A small field is guaranteed for the Princess of Wales's Stakes, with Charlie Appleby leaving in Arabian Crown and El Cordobes and John and Thady Gosden confirming both Military Academy and Palladium. The other contenders are James Owen's Wimbledon Hawkeye and the Clive Cox-trained Ghostwriter, who was last seen finishing third behind Godolphin's globetrotting star Rebel's Romance in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. Six entries have been made for the Group Three Bahrain Trophy, including Aidan O'Brien's pair of Galveston and Scandinavia, with the former of particular interest after finishing third in the King Edward VII Stakes at the Royal meeting. Andrew Balding's Furthur, who came even closer to Ascot success with a close-up second in the Queen's Vase, also features. Nine juveniles are in the mix for what looks a strong renewal of Kingdom of Bahrain July Stakes. Appleby could saddle Norfolk runner-up Wise Approach and the unbeaten Maximized, while Ed Walker's Do Or Do Not also brings strong form the table having finished second in the Coventry Stakes. O'Brien's sole representative is Curragh maiden winner Brussels, with Eve Johnson Houghton's Salisbury scorer Zavateri, Paul and Oliver Cole's impressive Goodwood victor Jel Pepper and Hugo Palmer's dual winner Tricky Tel others of interest.
Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Wales Online
Wales fans take over Lucerne as the Red Wall arrive for Euro 2025
Wales fans take over Lucerne as the Red Wall arrive for Euro 2025 'If we win, I think I'll just faint!,' said one fan Zara and Carl are ready for Euro 2025! Wales football fans took over Lucerne in Switzerland on Friday night as the national women's side prepare to play their first-ever match in a major tournament. Rhian Wilkinson's outfit go up against Netherlands in their first pool game of Euro 2025 on Saturday, July 5, and The Red Wall descended on the host city ahead of a massive day for Welsh sport. Bucket hats, retro jerseys and a general party vibe was on the menu for the fan zone outside Lucerne train station. A special performance from singer Aleighcia Scott provided the perfect backdrop as red shirts continued to stream into the fan zone. WalesOnline spoke to Welsh fans about this landmark moment, and what it's like to be in Switzerland as history is made. First up were Zara and Carl from Swansea, who drove all the way from south Wales in a campervan, and were elated to be out in Switzerland ahead of a monumental moment for Welsh women's football. "It's sort of unbelievable," began 16-year-old Zara. "I don't think it will sink in until we are out there in the stadium. You can see how many Welsh fans have travelled out here, it really is crazy. The team really deserve this, they've worked so hard for so many years and yeah, I can't wait now!" Carl added: "What's nice to see is we have been going to Wales away games (a while). First there were 20 of us, we went to Greece. It started growing, growing. It grew to 400 in Dublin and now there is going to be 2000+, absolutely amazing. This is what the girls deserve, they've earned this." When asked about the prospect of a win, dad Carl was buzzing about the prospect of it. "We just want the girls to give 100% and we know they will, if we win, I think I'll just faint! Yes baby! We're going… final, final!" Article continues below "If we do win tomorrow, I don't think he'll be able to drive for a few days!" joked Zara. "And I'll be skint!" added Carl. "These are things you dream of," continued Zara. "Not only as a fan but as a player, this team, if you asked them when they were younger, they probably never would have believed they would make it here. To be here, it shows that anything is possible, so it is incredibly inspirational." "Dreams do come true," said Carl. Dafydd Griffiths, who is "just over 80", was at the fan zone with his wife, and the couple were dressed to the nines in Welsh football apparel. "It's been something that the girls have been working so hard for," began Dafydd. "And it's got a bit of a momentum now in Wales, they're catching up pretty well now with the Euros of 2016, so it's pretty nice for us to be part of another Euro campaign, but with the ladies this time. "We just feel that the fans of Wales are always very respectful of our opposition and there seems to be a nice atmosphere, and very often we meet lots of people that we know back home." Summing up the experience so far, Dafydd said: "Just amazing, and grateful as well." Dafydd and his wife looking the part! Apparently they have their grandson to thank for the swish jerseys Ffion, who has come from Caernarfon with fellow supporters, explained that she felt right at home after arriving to a Welsh-packed Lucerne. "We've been here since Wednesday and I thought, we've seen one or two, but today we've just seen a wave of red, the t-shirts, it's just so nice to see the support the women are finally getting," she said. "We've been waiting for this forever really. We were there for the Ireland game and it was just surreal then, we were there and we were thinking: 'Oh my God, we have to go. Doesn't matter what, we're going!' " When asked to say one word that sums up being here this week, Ffion said: "Ardderchog!", which translates to 'excellent' for any non-Welsh speakers! Ffion feels right at home in Switzerland Mr and Mrs Thomas, who are from Hay-on-Wye, said: "There's no way we were going to miss this". "This could really kick us on, and even if it doesn't work out, we've got some really good young players coming through. I don't think this is the last time we'll see Wales in a major tournament," explained Mr Thomas. "The women's team is so inspiring for young girls wanting to play football, so yes, it's absolutely amazing. It's such an achievement and so inspiring," adds Mrs Thomas. "It has definitely put Wales women on the sporting map to achieve success in whatever sport women would like to do, to play in." Mr and Mrs Thomas weren't going to miss this Father and daughter Rhys and Elin Williams were blown away by the Welsh support. "It's incredible, the atmosphere has been amazing today, with the fan zone, with all the Welsh fans," explained Rhys. "It's amazing how many Welsh people live are here," adds 11-year-old Elin. "I didn't think that many people would come, but there are so many, it's amazing! I never thought I would be able to experience something like this." Elin and Rhys Williams looking the part in their Wales kit "It's like 2016," says Rhys. "It was the first one in my lifetime. But to be here with my daughter for the first ever major tournament for the women's (team) is incredible. The atmosphere tomorrow... the anthem is going to be incredible, it's going to be like Bordeaux in 2016, packed out with Welsh fans." Elin, who is a midfielder for Nantyglo Women's side, adds: "I feel very proud and I feel like it's going to make history doing this." When asked if he could describe in one word what it's like to be in Lucerne for the match, Welshman Hywel simply responded: "Awesome!" Hywel, who is from "all over Wales" "It's wonderful that the women are here, it really is tremendous," he explained. "I'm hoping that we will win all three games. The Wales men's team did so well in 2016, against all the odds. So working off that, and if Jess Fishlock stays fit, I think we could possibly win all three games. I'm hoping there will be a huge crowd and I'll give it some good welly with the singing, because that's important." Ffion, who is from Cardiff, explained that the importance of Wales being on this stage cannot be underestimated. Ffion says 'Wales have taken over!' "Women's football is on such a high, it's just amazing to support, we supported the man, now it's time to support the women," she said. "It makes such a huge impact on women's football in the UK, in Wales, just seeing the women on centre stage, playing against top players, it's just going to be amazing. There's loads of young girls here and they're just watching their idols play, it's amazing." Speaking about the support in Lucerne, she adds: "I think Wales have taken over! This isn't the fan zone, it's the Wales fan zone!" Nick is hoping Jess Fishlock can stay fit Nick, who is originally from Newport, pin-pointed the importance of Jess Fishlock in Wales' Euro campaign, as she returned from injury not long ago. Article continues below "The women are making a name for themselves," he said. "It's well deserved, it's well overdue. The fact that the men have done so well over the last 10 years, hopefully that will continue with the women. "I'm also really pleased for Jess Fishlock, because I've always believed she is the talismanic 'Bale' of the females. Arguably, it's going to be her last tournament."
