' Willpower, wonderful team spirit, resilience AND '

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' Willpower, wonderful team spirit, resilience AND '

Postby Forever Blue » Mon Jun 21, 2021 6:18 am

Euro 2020

Wales have willpower, wonderful team spirit, resilience and Gareth Bale - they'll fear no-one in the last 16 of Euros
Wales will meet either Russia, Finland or Denmark in the knockout stages of Euro 2020


By Paul Abbandonato

MONDAY 21 JUN 2021

SPORT

Wales are through to the last 16 of Euro 2020 after their battling defeat in Italy (Image: Huw Evans Agency)


There was plenty of suspense and 11th hour drama five years ago as Chris Coleman's triumphant Class of 2016 had to wait until the very last minute to discover who they would play in the knockout stages.

Under UEFA's complicated best third-placed teams ruling, Wales' opponents were only determined at the very end of the pool stages.

On the final night in question, it looked odds-on that Wales would be meeting Turkey.

READ MORE:The Wales player ratings against Italy

The dynamics were suddenly changed as Robbie Brady popped up with an unexpected 85th minute winner for the Republic of Ireland versus Italy - which had the knock-on effect of eliminating the Turks and handed Wales a dream last 16 tie against Northern Ireland in Paris instead.



Happy days, we know what happened next.

There are plenty of complications again this time around, but at least Wales will know their fate by Monday evening and won't need to wait until the group stages finish at 10pm on Wednesday night.

The battling 1-0 defeat against Italy, coupled with Switzerland being unable to hammer Turkey by enough goals, means Wales finish runners-up in Pool A and will meet their equivalents from Pool B in the first last 16 tie, to be played in Amsterdam at 5pm on Saturday.





Will it be Finland, Russia or Denmark, presuming Belgium clinch top spot?

Who out of that trio would be best for Wales?

Can Gareth Bale and his team overcome that last 16 hurdle once more?

If so, who would be lying in wait this time in the quarter-finals?

Lots of questions, few answers at this stage, although at first glance the knockout draw is looking kind for Wales again.

They certainly have nothing to fear next Saturday.

Finland, of course, would be the opposition Wales would handpick, as was the case with Northern Ireland five years ago.

For large parts of that game in Paris the Irish were the better team, but they lacked anyone of the quality of Bale who produced the matchwinning moment of magic.

Finland have done well just to reach the Euros and have put themselves in with a shout after the surprise opening day win over a Denmark side traumatised by what had just happened to their talisman Christian Eriksen.

But Wales have their number, beat them in recent Nations League clashes, and secretly would love to come up against the Finns again.

Whether that proves to be the case hinges totally upon what happens in the Group B finale on Monday evening - Belgium versus Finland and Denmark against Russia.

Belgium are already through, it's the pecking order that is still to be determined. It is entirely possible Denmark, Finland and Russia could each be tied on three points, in which case goal difference kicks in.

That's where the complications arise, but one way or another Wales will know by Monday night and can start planning early accordingly.

The Danes or Russians will be much tougher opposition than Finland.

But come on - if, before the start of the tournament, you were offered one of those two in the last 16, you'd have snatched at the chance quicker than Bale blazing over that volley against Italy.

Okay, just as Wales have overcome Finland, so Denmark have had the measure of Bale and his team in recent times, beating them twice thanks in no small part to a couple of Eriksen midfield masterclasses.

Clearly Denmark are not as strong without their best player, but they do possess plenty of talent elsewhere in the line-up and could grow in stature with victory over Russia.

But it would be a 50-50 chance for Wales, as would a game against a Russian side who haven't looked overly impressive in losing to Belgium and just edging out Finland.

Let's just say that whoever Wales get from Group B, they will know other sides joining them in the last 16 face much sterner challenges.

Including neighbours England, who could be facing one of France, Portugal or Germany.

No thanks to that one.

Tournament football being what it is, Wales' players, and fans, will no doubt have peeked even further ahead to what could be in store in the quarter-finals. Netherlands, perhaps, or one of Croatia, Scotland, Sweden, Slovakia, Poland, even Spain?

None of those would be as formidable as Belgium last time out in Lille.

But that's getting too far ahead of ourselves. After a night of celebrations, Wales' attentions will be properly focused upon the last 16.


Can they win that tie? Yes they can.

This Wales side has defensive resilience, a wonderful team spirit - and in Gareth Bale, and Aaron Ramsey, two genuine proven match winners at this stage of a tournament.

Wales have battled every inch of the way, and often against the odds, to get into the knockout phase.

They were outplayed by Switzerland, but hung on in there before Kieffer Moore's brilliant header rescued the day.

They in effect faced an away match against frenzied Turkey support in Baku, but turned on the style to triumph.

They were down to 10 men against Italy and could easily have caved in, losing second spot in the group on goal difference, but didn't.


They have progressed. It's no mean feat to finish above Switzerland and Turkey, who were viewed by many as dark horses before a ball was kicked at the Euros.

Danny Ward has been calm and authoritative in goal; Joe Rodon has been a colossus at the back; when Moore is there next to them, Bale, Ramsey and Dan James have shone.

The midfield have lacked stardust, but crikey they have worked their little socks off.

Wales will need every bit of that willpower once more in Amsterdam, whoever they are up against.


But that defensive resolve and dogged determination, coupled with James' blinding pace, Moore's presence and goal threat and the moments of magic we know Bale and Ramsey are capable of producing, is a potent cocktail.

The tournament can already be classed a success for many - but a Welsh nation is dreaming of more.

Given the favourable draw, there is no reason why those dreams shouldn't turn into reality, either.
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' Willpower, wonderful team spirit, resilience AND '

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Re: ' Willpower, wonderful team spirit, resilience AND '

Postby Forever Blue » Mon Jun 21, 2021 7:15 am

Gareth Bale is just such a leader
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Annis Jnr Author and Publisher of 7 Books.

My 7th Book is Available Now "MY STORY"

http://www.annisabraham.co.uk/books/buy-books/
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Re: ' Willpower, wonderful team spirit, resilience AND '

Postby Forever Blue » Mon Jun 21, 2021 7:16 am

:thumbright: :thumbright: :thumbright:
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Annis Jnr Author and Publisher of 7 Books.

My 7th Book is Available Now "MY STORY"

http://www.annisabraham.co.uk/books/buy-books/
http://www.annisabraham.co.uk/news/

My email : annisabraham@aol.com
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Re: ' Willpower, wonderful team spirit, resilience AND '

Postby Scoularite » Mon Jun 21, 2021 7:30 am

Great reactions from both Gareth Bale and Robert Page.
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Re: ' Willpower, wonderful team spirit, resilience AND '

Postby bluesince62 » Mon Jun 21, 2021 4:18 pm

We have to petition welsh assembly for fan zones , now we cant go to amsterdam!!!!
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