Euro 2025: Fans still believe as Wales face France in St Gallen
Thousands of Welsh fans have travelled to Switzerland, with an estimated 3,800 at the Allmend Stadium in Lucerne to watch their defeat by the Netherlands.Although Wales will once again be the underdogs against France, their travelling supporters in St Gallen remain optimistic."We've seen the French beat England, we've seen their tactics and we'll be up for it," said Jacqueline Davies, 64, from Aberdare."We're mega excited. We couldn't get to Lucerne but we're here for the next two matches."Jacqueline has travelled to Switzerland with her friend, Deborah Pagington, who was also with her when Wales beat the Republic of Ireland to secure qualification for Euro 2025 last December."We've been to Dublin and saw all the home matches," said Deborah, 63, from Newport."When we qualified, I was crying. That was an awesome night," Jacqueline added.That win in Dublin was an historic moment for Wales, who had never before qualified for the finals of a women's major tournament.It followed a journey that saw the national team not formally recognised by the Football Association of Wales (FAW) until 1993.
First Minister Eluned Morgan was in attendance as Wales faced the Netherlands in Lucerne, while men's head coach Craig Bellamy is expected to be in St Gallen for the France match.Officials are predicting an explosion in the women's game in Wales, with more women and girls playing the sport as well as watching the national side."Since Wales qualified I've been really excited and every single night I've wished it was already time to go," said Harriet, 10, from Cardiff, who has travelled to Switzerland with her family."We've only missed two games in the last four years," said Rupert, her 12-year-old brother.Their father James, 42, added: "It's absolutely massive for women's football. "Harriet plays for Gwaelod Rangers, just down the road from us, and the numbers we've seen coming through there have been tremendous, a great increase. We're massively proud of Wales."
Wales' preparations were disrupted the day before the game when their team bus was involved in a crash on the way to training at Arena St Gallen. The FAW said all players and staff who were on the bus were uninjured, though an ambulance was at the scene attending to the driver of another vehicle.The Wales training session scheduled to be held at the stadium on Tuesday was cancelled as a result, though the squad may train later in the day at their team base in Weinfelden, about 30 minutes from St Gallen.Manager Wilkinson and captain Angharad James were not on the bus, having travelled to the stadium earlier to conduct their pre-match media conference."We are shaken because we are away from the team right now knowing that they have had to experience that," Wilkinson said."But equally we have a great group and I have been assured that everyone is fine. We have practiced for the unexpected, that's what we can call this."We will check in with everyone and make sure they are all in a good spot and we can focus on the football again after that."
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