I meant to write this post about Wales‘s performances in the European Championships in a vain attempt to describe the roller coaster of emotions that I have experienced watching their matches. But I will return to that later.
Less than a week from the EU Referendum, Britain is experiencing a dramatic fallout from the dramatic decision of the British people to leave the EU. Economically, culturally, politically, the future appears to be very uncertain. One of the first victims of this decision is Prime Minister David Cameron. Just over a year ago his Party surprisingly won the General Election with an overall majority of 30 plus seats when all the talking heads were predicting a Hung Parliament. I’m not sure whether his euphoria persuaded him to announce a referendum would be held within twelve months of his victory to determine whether the UK should remain or leave the EU.
Again, I’m not sure whether it was political naivety or sheer arrogance on his part, but he decided to place all his eggs in one basket and unequivocally support the campaign to remain. He could have decided to be objective and merely place the pro and cons of EU membership before the people. He could have insisted that there had to be a majority of at least 60% to leave the EU. Consequently he must have been shell shocked when the result was declared.
Meanwhile England played Iceland in the knockout stage of the European Championships. Iceland are ranked 42nd in the World, and has a population of only 330,000. This is their first major tournament ever, and most observers believed they were just making up the numbers.
England admittedly didn’t impress many during the group phase with two uninspiring draws and a last gasp win over Wales. The mood of the Nation was optimistic before the match with Iceland. Cream would come to the top and Iceland would be brushed away. The game began very well for England when Iceland’s goalkeeper tripped Sterling and Rooney converted from the penalty spot after less than 4 minutes play. The players, coach Roy Hodgson, and their supporters were dancing a jig to the tune: “It’s so easy…….”
No sooner had the players finished smooching each other and readjusted their jock straps, they were caught be a sucker punch only one minute later. From a long throw in, the ball was headed down by a burly Icelander and a tapped in by a gleeful Icelandic midfielder. The England players were nonplussed and never recovered. To make matters worse, Iceland scored again in the 2oth minute which proved to be the winner. England had been dumped out of the competition and Hodgson quite rightly resigned immediately after the match. England were humiliated with no place to hide.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Wales having qualified for a major competition for the first time since the World Cup in 1958, played their first game against Slovakia. Gareth Bale got us off to a great start with a splendid free kick giving us a 1-0 lead at halftime. Slovakia equalized midway through the second half and I had settled for a draw, until late in the game substitute Robson-kanu scrambled in the winner. What a great start!
England were our next opponents who had squandered the lead after dominating their first game with Russia, and finally settled for a draw. England and Wales are bitter rivals and a win against them would not only give us control of the group, but it would be icing on our group cake. Gareth Bale gave us the lead once more with yet another free kick which England goal keeper Joe Hart let slip through his fingers. I was jumping around the room waving my Welsh scarf around my head singing Calon Lan to anyone who would listen. The referee blew the whistle for half time with Wales leading 1-0.
England’s attack had been listless, and I was praying Hodgson would not bring on strikers Vardy and Sturridge, but that’s exactly what he did. Vardy soon equalized from a poor defensive header from Ashley Williams, and the match was heading for a draw which I was happy to accept. Unfortunately more drama was yet to unfold. In the dying embers of the game England were pressing for a winner, and Wales’ defense was beginning to creak under the constant pressure. Sturridge finally took advantage of a loose ball in the penalty area and slotted the ball into the net via goalkeeper Hennessy’s near post.
In that split second I felt like a burst balloon and Sturridge had provided the pin. I stood there open mouthed, unable to move a muscle, stunned by what had happened. Amazingly, with only seconds remaining, Bale almost equalized with a very good header which fell the wrong side of the post. Game over and more work had to be done if we were to qualify as one of the top two in the group.
The final group game was with Russia, and we needed at least a draw to progress to the knock out section. Ramsey scored in the 10th minute to calm the nerves and we ran out 3-0 winners completely dominating a slow and ponderous Russian team. It was a sublime performance that made me so proud to be Welsh. Bale and Ramsey were very good with the Real Madrid star scoring for the third consecutive game. But Joe Allen was simply superb. He gave a master class in midfield, breaking up attacks with his tackling and interception, and creating attacking options with his insightful passing. England could only muster a draw with Slovakia and we topped the group with England runners up.
Into the last sixteen, and our opponents were our Celtic cousins from Northern Ireland. It proved to be a tough and dour match, and not a good game for the neutral to savor. The match was decided by an own goal scored by the Irish center back McCauley when he diverted a cross from the irrepressible Bale into his own net. During the qualifying and Championship games, Bale has scored or assisted in 82% of Wales‘s goals.
This Friday (July 1st) we play Belgium in the quarter finals. We know each very well since we were in the same qualifying group and we were fortunate to take 4 points from our two encounters. Belgium, however, demolished Hungary 4-0 in the last round of 16, and their star men Hazard and de Bruyne appear to be firing on all cylinders. Whatever the outcome its been a stunning Championship for Welsh fans, and I don’t want it to end. Go Dragons!!!!
