Latest news with #BBCSportWales
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
From retirement fears to Euro joy for Wales' Morgan
She has started both matches for Wales at Euro 2025, but just months ago defender Esther Morgan thought she was going to have to 22-year-old has been beset by injuries for the past three years, initially suffering a serious quad injury while training with Wales in Spain in March 2022, with her torn thigh muscle requiring a case of it does not rain it pours, Morgan's comeback after almost a year on the sidelines was curtailed as she ruptured three ankle ligaments, requiring two different surgeries and another year out Morgan made her Wales return in the Nations League against Sweden she was playing her first international match in 639 days, with the Sheffield United defender admitting she seriously considered the prospect of retirement."Six months ago, if you'd asked me if I was going to be here, I'd probably say no," she told BBC Sport Wales."I'd probably say at the end of the season, I'm going to just probably give it up." 'I've had a rough journey in football' A popular member of the Wales squad, Morgan has completed her recovery in some style at Wales' first major tournament, Euro 2025, starting both of Wales' group D games against the Netherlands and says she was always motivated by the prospect of returning in Switzerland during her lengthy rehabilitation, but admits she felt it was more of a pipe dream than an obtainable goal."Being here has been amazing, to be fair," she said."I think I'm really grateful to have even made it on the plane. There was a long time that it was just something that I was trying to focus on in my rehab. I think it's nice to have that end goal and I'm really grateful for the girls, firstly, for getting here and qualifying, because I wasn't able to be a part of that journey."I think I'd be lying if I said that I thought I was going to get back to playing and let alone playing for my country. I think it has put everything into perspective for me."Morgan says her Wales team-mates have been a big source of inspiration as she has trodden the lonely path of recovering from two serious injuries."I think I've had a rough journey through football so far," she said. "I'm grateful it's my journey and it's something that no one can take away from me."I think having two major injuries, I'm only 22, I've been out for the best part of two years of my career and it's a hard thing to go through."It's hard to watch your teammates and your friends doing so well for club, for country. At times you do think, where am I going with this? "But at the same time, it's these people that you look up to and it's people like Sophie Ingle or Jess Fishlock who have come back from serious injuries, you have to rely on their experiences."It's just framed the whole thing for me that I'm so lucky to have the job that I do and I'm so grateful to be able to run, kick a ball and be with this amazing group of people, it's really changed me, but I think changed me for the better." Being at Euro 2025 'a full circle moment' Having made her recovery and returned to playing, Morgan admits she has been surprised and delighted to have started both of Wales' matches in Switzerland."I think the injuries have really just made me thankful to be here and just be present and enjoy every moment, because I'm healthy, I'm able to play and just go out and enjoy, really," she said."I'm really grateful to (manager) Rhian Wilkinson for putting her trust in me. I think we all want to be playing in these games. I'm grateful to be one of the girls stepping on the pitch and starting these games, but it comes down to a whole squad and how can we work together to bring out the best in each other."I didn't even know if I was going to be able to be here. So to hear that I was starting in the first game was just like, wow, I think it took me a minute to kind of process all the emotions."I think it was a mixture of pride, a mixture of pressure, but in the best way possible. And I think for me, it's nice to kind of have a full circle moment with all my family and everyone that supported me."Morgan says her family have found the emotion of seeing her performing at Euro 2025 too much to take."My parents came to the France game and my mum and dad were saying that they were crying the whole time," she added."They went out for a meal and they were both just sat there in floods of tears."
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales 'ready for their moment' as they eye Euro 2025 shock
Wales captain Angharad James says her side are embracing their role as Euro 2025 underdogs and are "ready for their moment," as they bid to shock the tournament and upset the form give Wales, who are the lowest ranked side in Switzerland, just a 9% chance of qualifying from their group and a 0% chance of lifting the trophy ahead of their Euro 2025 opener against Netherlands in having qualified for a first major finals and with one of the largest fanbases present at the tournament, James says Wales are ready to produce a shock."Write us off. We're fine with it. We have the belief within this group. We've had the preparation that we've needed this past last six or nine months," James said."We haven't won a game in a while and I can see why maybe people and teams from the outside will write us off. But I invite them to write us off because they won't know what's coming because we are ready for this moment."Wales have been in Switzerland for almost a week, staying in the east of the country in Weidenfeld, around 20 minutes from the German says it will be one of the proudest moments of her life to lead out her side in front of the Red Wall of Wales supporters. "I think for me personally it's been a very long journey and for most of the group too. It's been something that we've always strived to achieve and we've always come short but not anymore," she told BBC Sport Wales."We're here. We've worked so hard over the years and to give that moment to a lot of these players is truly special. "To see the Welsh flag and to see Wales being on the biggest stage of all is truly something that I didn't know if I'd be able to experience personally. And to be here today is an honour and the group is just really excited to get out is our moment now and it's a moment for our group to really go out there, deliver what we've prepared all week. "It's a moment that we have all dreamt of, that we've all worked so hard towards. And I don't want players and staff and people who are watching to miss that moment because it truly does mean the world to me and it means the world to the whole group." Contrasting mood in camps Wales' players have been in fine spirits all week ahead of their major tournament debut and are seemingly all focused on seizing their the Netherlands camp seems a less content place with coach Andries Jonker – who is leaving his role after the tournament - going on a podcast before the match against Wales and discussing his surprise and disappointment at the decision to end his a fiery pre-match press conference, Jonker was accused by a Dutch journalist of "treating the players like puppets in a puppet show," while experienced midfielder Sherida Spitse intimated that she did not agree with her coaches decision to talk about his impending says she is excited about leading Wales out for the first time at a major tournament."I think, from my end, I can't wait for the bus to arrive, to watch these women walk out onto the field and make history," she said."This team is ready. They're fit, they're excited. Opening day nerves are normal and excitement is normal. And this team is handling it like seasoned professionals."They understand that this is a moment in Welsh history." Team news Wales have no injury concerns among their 23 player squad, with the utilisation of former captain Sophie Ingle likely to present Wilkinson with her biggest selection has declared herself fit to start in Lucerne, but having not played a competitive game in a over a year after anterior cruciate ligament surgery (ACL), her inclusion from the start would be a surprise."I think not playing any 90 minutes to go in 90 minutes would be a challenge, but she's healthy and back fully with the squad. And that is for someone who had, obviously, an ACL," Wilkinson said."She's been so professional and so diligent and so focused to be here. And to have her healthy and available is a testament to the hard work that she's invested. I am really happy to have her back healthy."Wales must come up with a solution to replacing teenage defender Mayzee Davies in defence as she misses the tournament having undergone ACL Palace defender Josie Green could come into the side, while dropping Hayley Ladd back into defence is another option, with Wales expected to stick with three central boss Andries Jonker confirmed his side have doubts over two of their main attacking City forward Vivianne Miedema is fit, but having been severely hampered by injuries in the past two years, might not be risked from the start as she chases her 100th international goal (she is currently on 99).Wolfsburg forward Lineth Beerensteyn is also a doubt, having been unable to train since Netherlands arrived in revealed in his pre-match press conference that he is yet to tell his players the starting XI for their Euro opener, whereas Wilkinson says she told her players "a few days ago."
The Sun
03-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Former Leeds and Swansea star Andy Robinson, 45, recovering in hospital after suffering heart attack
FORMER Leeds United and Swansea ace Andy Robinson has suffered a heart attack. Robinson, 45, is said to be recovering in a stable condition after the shock earlier today. A statement from Swansea's official X account confirmed the news. It read: "Swansea City is wishing the club's former player Andy Robinson a full and speedy recovery after suffering a heart attack earlier today. "Andy is currently in a stable condition in hospital. "We're all with you Robbo". While Leeds United showed their support for their former player in a post on X too. It read: "Now in a stable condition, everyone at #LUFC wishes former player Andy Robinson a speedy recovery, after he suffered a heart attack earlier today". Robinson became a fan favourite at both Leeds and Swansea and has continued his support of the Swans since leaving the club in 2008. The wide midfielder played over 231 games for the Welsh club and is now often reporting on their games as a BBC Sport Wales pundit. As well as representing Leeds and Swansea, Robinson played for Tranmere, Ammanford, Stockport and Shrewsbury, before retiring in 2021. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ex-Swansea midfielder Robinson stable after heart attack
Former Swansea City midfielder Andy Robinson has suffered a heart attack, the Championship club have said the 45-year-old was in hospital on Thursday afternoon having been taken ill earlier in the day."Swansea City is wishing the club's former player Andy Robinson a full and speedy recovery after suffering a heart attack earlier today," the Swans said on social media."Andy is currently in a stable condition in hospital. We're all with you Robbo."Robinson is a popular figure at Swansea having played for the club between 2003 and is still regularly seen at Swansea games, partly thanks to his role as a BBC Sport Wales pundit. Robinson was playing amateur football in his home town of Birkenhead when then Swansea boss Brian Flynn offered him a trial during pre-season in attacking midfielder or wide player, he quickly convinced Swansea he was worthy of a professional contract and went on to play 226 games for the Welsh club, scoring 54 helped Swansea win promotion from what is now League Two in 2004-05, the club's final season at their former Vetch Field was the last player to score at the Vetch having claimed the winning goal in the FAW Premier Cup final against Wrexham in May was also part of the squad which won the Football League Trophy in 2006 and was a central figure in Swansea's 2007-08 League One title-winning side under Roberto left Swansea to join Leeds United that summer and went on to play 50 games for the Yorkshire had two loan spells at Tranmere Rovers before moving to Prenton Park on a permanent basis in 2011, making more than 100 appearances in total and scoring 19 goals for the Wirral finished his career with brief spells at Shrewsbury Town, Stockport County and Ammanford, where he was reunited with his ex-Swansea team-mate and close friend Lee Trundle.
Wales Online
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Huge Wimbledon prize money for first-round losers emerges as teen banks fortune
Huge Wimbledon prize money for first-round losers emerges as teen banks fortune Swansea teenager Mimi Xu lost in the first round at Wimbledon to Emma Raducanu but can be proud of her efforts and pleased with her new bank balance Mimi Xu of Wales was knocked out in the first round despite a brilliant effort (Image:) The most famous tennis tournament in the world is up and running with the temperatures rising on and off the court at Wimbledon. The next fortnight in SW19 promises plenty of thrills and spills, with the action getting under way on Monday with a glamourous first-round match for Welsh tennis sensation Mimi Xu against fellow Brit Emma Raducanu on Court One. Seventeen-year-old Xu, from Swansea, acquitted herself well under the glare of the tennis world but unfortunately went down 6-3, 6-3 to her opponent in west London. Xu was the first Welsh player to enter the Wimbledon main singles draw in 20 years and now hopes to use the experience gained to kick on up the world rankings. "I loved every single moment out there," Xu told BBC Sport Wales. "I wouldn't say it was my dream debut because winning would obviously have been my dream debut. Article continues below "But I'm really honoured and happy that this was my debut. I got to play a Grand Slam champion, a fellow Brit on a big court – I don't think I could have asked for anything different. "The crowd, the atmosphere, the court… everything. I didn't want it to stop. "When I came off court I started crying, but I wasn't upset I just felt 'oh my god I've just done that.'" Xu now teams up with fellow Brit Ella McDonald in the women's doubles at Wimbledon and she'll do so with a fair bit more money in the bank. Despite losing in the first round, Xu will take home the very tidy sum of £66,000 for her troubles. The champion of both the men's and women's game will pocket £3million each. Men's and women's singles Winner – £3,000,000 Runner-up – £1,520,000 Semi-finals – £775,000 Quarter-finals – £400,000 Round 4 – £240,000 Round 3 – £152,000 Round 2 – £99,000 Round 1 – £66,000 Combined singles total prize pot – £38,828,000 Men's and women's doubles (per pair) Winner – £680,000 Runner-up – £345,000 Semi-finals – £174,000 Quarter-finals – £87,500 Round 3 – £43,750 Round 2 – £26,000 Round 1 – £16,500 Article continues below Combined doubles total prize pot – £6,034,000 Mixed doubles (per pair) Winner – £135,000 Runner-up – £68,000 Semi-finals – £34,000 Quarter-finals – £17,500 Round 2 – £9,000 Round 1 – £4,500 Mixed doubles total prize pot – £485,000
