As 6,000 Welsh fans prepare to make the trip to Switzerland, tournament debutants Wales will be hoping to write more history at Euro 2025.
“Er gwaetha pawb a phopeth, ry’n ni yma o hyd.” The lyrics of the Dafydd Iwan classic that has quickly become Wales’ unofficial anthem
Its literal translation is, “In spite of everything and everyone, we are still here.” That is a line that rings oh so true for this Wales team. 50 years of battling against history, and even against the Welsh Football Association, as led to this moment. For the first time ever, Cymru are going to be at a major tournament.
Route to Euro 2025
There’s one thing you must know about any Welsh team in any sport, and that is we don’t like making things easy for ourselves. Qualifying for Euro 2025 was no different.
Wales began the campaign in League B of the Nations League with a new manager in the dugout, Canadian Rhian Wilkinson. With four wins and two draws in a group containing Croatia, Ukraine, and Kosovo, Wales topped the group and booked their spot in the playoffs.
The semi-finals saw them pitted against Slovakia. On paper, a relatively simple tie. Yet, simple turned into tricky in a blink of an eye. Roared on by a passionate home crowd, the Slovaks found two quick goals at the start of the second half to race ahead, and if they were more clinical, they could have easily been four up by full time. But a Ffion Morgan goal a minute from time meant the final score read 2-1. A defeat for Wales, but it could have been much worse.
The return leg in Cardiff saw Wales come out the traps quickly. Jess Fishlock levelled the score on aggregate in the first half, but what followed was near miss after near miss. Extra time came, and with eight minutes remaining, Ceri Holland broke Slovakian hearts, as her clever strike sent Wales to the playoff final.
Waiting for them in the final were the Republic of Ireland. The first leg took place in the Welsh capital, and Wilkinson’s warriors put in a resilient display. Lily Woodham’s goal gave Cymru a deserved lead, but Ruesha Littlejohn’s speculative strike somehow found its way into the back of the net, meaning it was all square heading to Dublin.
Wales and their army of fans travelled across the Irish Sea full of optimism, but that optimistic attitude was tested in the first half. Ireland peppered the Welsh goal with plenty of shots, but Olivia Clark stood firm and kept everything out.
The second half could not have started any better for Wales. Hannah Cain’s penalty coupled with Carrie Jones’ wonderful solo goal put them on the brink of history. But when Anna Patten pulled one back with so little time remaining for Ireland, Wales fans began to pray. Despite Irish attack after Irish attack, Cymru held on to win 3-2 on aggregate, and finally put an end to 50 years of hurt.
THAT Group – Wales have a mountain to climb at Euro 2025
Wales’ reward for reaching their first ever major tournament could not be any harder. Placed with England, France and The Netherlands, not many will be expecting Wilkinson’s side to do much in Switzerland.
And, weirdly, that’s how Wales want it. Those who have underestimated Wales in the past have found out the hard way what can happen, and this past Nations League A campaign proved that. Two eyebrow raising draws against Sweden proved this is a team who can compete against the world’s best.
On top of that, Wales have come close against two of their group stage opponents before.
Although being defeated twice by France in qualifying for the 2023 World Cup, Wales scared Les Bleus on multiple occasions and should have won at least one of the games against them.
Wales also picked up an incredible 0-0 draw against the Lionesses a handful of years ago. The England team back then had a lot more talent than this current crop, while Cymru have developed and have a team who play the majority of their football in the WSL.
The Netherlands are a rare opponent for Wales. The last time the Orange Army squared off against the Red Wall was in 2017. But Wales will fear no team, and they certainly have the resources to harm even the largest of foes.
The Old Guard
This squad has an excellent blend of youth and experience, but for the older heads in this team, this could be their first and last major tournament.
The star of this team without a shadow of a doubt is Jess Fishlock. Wales’ topknotted assassin became the country’s all-time leading goal scorer in the qualifying campaign, and despite being 38 years old, the Seattle Reign icon still possesses incredible power. Niggling injuries have hampered her a little bit as of late, but if a team gives her too much time and space, she will gladly punish them.
Rhiannon Roberts is another who is an important cog in Wilkinson’s system. The defender has been released by Liga F side Real Betis, but if she performs to the level Wales fans know she can, she won’t be a free agent for long. With the heart of a dragon and strength of an ox, not many get past Roberts.
But the player that has brought the biggest smile to Welsh faces has been Sophie Ingle. The former captain has been out injured with an ACL rupture since August 2024. Whilst we will wait to see if she will get minutes out in the Alps, the leadership skills and high standard she brings to this side is indescribable.
Young Welsh stars ready to make a mark at Euro 2025
Coupled with these seasoned veterans, Wales have plenty of youngsters who are chomping at the bit, ready to make a name for themselves.
Carrie Jones is certainly one of those who will be looking to take the Euros by storm. Despite only being 21, Jones already has 37 caps to her name. Her versatility and directness make her a tricky customer, and she will be looking to showcase all her talents on the world stage.
Speaking of direct runners, they don’t come any better than Lily Woodham. Over the last couple of seasons, Woodham has made herself one of the first names on the team sheet. Making the left wing-back spot her own, Woodham can deliver a mean cross while also bringing others into the attack.
Between the sticks, Olivia Clark certainly has the ability to keep Wales in games. Against the likes of Sweden, Denmark and Ireland, Clark made a number of crucial saves that have kept her country in games, and there’s no doubt she will be doing the same in the Euros.
More than a Tournament
While we can go on about the tactical battles and rate Wales’ chances of getting out of the tournament’s toughest group, the reality is, the Euros are about more than just three games for Wales.
We saw the explosion in popularity in England when they won Euro 2022, and the same could happen to Wales this summer. Participation numbers will rise, more eyes will be on the domestic league and on the national team, and players will become household names.
The FAW already have plans in place to continue the momentum that will be created as a result of the Euros, and there is truly no better time to be a part of Welsh football.
However, if you’re looking at what Wales can do in Switzerland, there is one clear message, rule them out at your peril. This team are difficult to beat and rarely concede goals. Couple that with a speedy counterattack, they definitely have the power to upset some of the tournament favourites.
History will show you that Wales are the ultimate underdogs. Euro 2025 will be no different, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
