Trying to put down what has happened across the last three days is not going to be easy as it’s a lot. The people who have experienced the last few days though, have memories which will last a lifetime – we have witnessed something truly special, even if the result was not what we hoped for. The result may actually be the least important thing from this opening week of Euro 2025, but we’ll come back to the football.
We arrived in Zurich and hopped on a train, that was so wonderfully efficient we spent the whole journey chatting away and staring out of the windows at the remarkable scenery. Switzerland is simply stunning. Everywhere looks like a postcard. After arriving and finding a spot by the river to rehydrate after a tiring day of travelling, we remarked on how many Wales fans we’d seen and how beautiful Lucerne was.
After chatting to some of those fans for a podcast I’m making of the trip (coming soon!), some of the stories we heard were remarkable. Why fans had turned to Wales women for Wales away and how they had got into supporting football in the first place. So many heartwarming and emotive stories from some lovely speakers. Thank you all so much for your time.
After a quick change and look around our apartment we headed out for pints and dinner and had a superb evening. We happened to bump into our Wales away pals Cath and Jodie before hopping off to meet Laura McAllister in the fan zone.
Somehow in that time we met Nia Jones, Helen Ward and Beth Fisher who couldn’t have been lovelier to us – especially remarkable when considering our level of drunkenness. We talked about the game and the atmosphere in the city and how positive everyone was. It was great start to the trip.
We wandered off in search of more drink and literally bumped into Rhian Wilkinson talking a stroll in the evening. She had a photo with us and chatted to us and I fan girled quite a lot and told her I loved her at least four times. As remarkable as it was bumping into her, it’s more remarkable that she put up with us and didn’t put a restraining order on me.
Not satisfied with the number of beers consumed, we went on the hunt for more. In that time we chatted to Danny Gabbidon, who was so so nice to us and Geraint Hughes from Sky Sports. I finally got to thank Owain Harries (of the FAW) in person for helping Ruth and I out so much too. In the shock of the day, he too was incredibly nice to us. Quite surprising given I hugged him when we met. Apologies for that Owain.
Mercifully for any other Welsh people who were in Lucerne, we headed home via a chip shop and tried to sober up before bed. Unsuccessfully. I awoke in the middle of the night to find a trail of blood across the landing floor as one of my friends split his toe open in the night. None of us any the wiser as to how this happened. It felt like waking up and being in an episode of Swiss Dexter. And it wasn’t even game day yet.
With sore heads (and toes) we awoke to seize the day. After a sit down with an omelette and bacon, burned to a crisp to the point it may have been cremated not cooked. We stumbled back to our drinking spot by the river, laid out our flag and had a beer whilst gently the booing any Dutch fans who walked passed us. They took it very much in the spirit it was intended and we enjoyed some friendly banter. We exchanged knowing glances with Welsh fans and the reality of the day honed into view. This was it. This was happening. Wales were in the Euros. Today.
The walk to the stadium started behind the Dutch bus and whilst they put on a great show with their flags and dreadful Euro pop, the bucket hats just kept appearing. Outnumbering the country who won this very tournament recently enough. It was pretty incredible actually and for me, the emotion of the day started to build. This thing we have wanted and battled so hard for was here. We were witnessing it.
The stadium itself was a beautiful bronze gold colour and was a fabulous rounded rectangle of slender steel reaching up into the mountain filled blue skies. If you can tell me a better Wales away location, I’d be impressed. We got in and took in the enormity of what we were a part of. I saw Haley from FeWales – someone else who has done so much for Welsh women’s football and that too added to the emotions being felt. Families and young kids were everywhere beaming that they were there and that’s when it hit home. The game was important but these young boys and girls were seeing their heroes close up and you could almost see these people being inspired. I sat next to a fabulous little 6 year old kid who was gripped by what was happening around her. The noise. The atmosphere. The colour. It was special.
As the players emerged the welcome was overwhelming. The players were cheered like they had won before we’d even started and in many ways they had. The Dutch anthem began and I could feel the emotion building in me and shed a tear before our anthem began. The anticipation and knowing what was coming next for us just tipped me over the edge. When it was our turn I just couldn’t hold it in. The family atmosphere, the Wales away culture transferring to the women’s game, and all the young people being inspired in front of us. It was amazing.
I shouted my way through the start of the anthem and the “gwlads” tipped me over the edge. I was gone and turned to the man missing a chunk of his toe for comfort. As I looked up from his tear stained shoulder, I saw myself wiping tears from my eyes on the screen. The realisation that this was on worldwide TV dawned on me and very quickly I had a lot of messages. Nia Jones referred to me as a future meme in radio commentary and I received plenty of friendly ribbing, in the ground too. Receiving a message from Ruth too, watching in America, almost set me off again.
I’ve heard from kids I used to teach, from Boston to Barry and people I went to Uni with. My old music teacher even messaged me and my mum told me I’d gone viral. I still don’t think she knows what that means, so Christ knows who told her that. Whilst I was the one on the screen, I was far from the only one feeling that way. I’m very grateful that the emotion was captured yesterday. A great memory and memento of the day.
Then the football began and Wales were solid without being exciting for a good portion of the match. We cheered corners like goals and enjoyed being a part of the game. The demolition had not arrived as many expected. But you can’t sit off Viv Meidema and if you do, she is more than capable of doing what she did, scoring her 100th international goal. What a player. The timing however killed us and we could/should have gone in at 0-0. From there we tumbled downhill as the second half started with the sluggish start Welsh fans have been used to of late. The third goal is avoidable too but when your opponents hit the woodwork 4 times in a match, you know you’re hanging on.
The highlight however was the fans continuing to sing and chant non stop. From songs I’ve never heard before and didn’t really understand to reimagined terrace classics – Fishlock’s on fire, being the stand out. Then the anthem came again and we sang the girls home. It may not have felt it at the time, but I’m not sure how relevant the football itself was.
Everything which had been experienced across these last few days in a gorgeous setting has changed Welsh football. Changed Welsh sport for that matter. What these women have done will never be forgotten as they have scaled a mountain we once thought was impassable. Now, surrounded by Swiss mountains, we have a different climb ahead. The next one is steeper than the ones before it and are harder to conquer, but they are passable. They are something we can overcome. This wasn’t the peak of the mountain. This was the start of a new ascent to be able to compete on a different stage. Patience is required as those inspired today will become the players of tomorrow. Those of us who were lucky enough to say “I was there” witnessed a special moment in the journey Welsh football is on.
Special is the best word I can use here because walking back to the fan zone and chatting to Cath and Jodie, we saw Laura once more and chatted to Lowri Roberts and her family. We spoke unknowingly to the women who started this all off and fought for the FAW to recognise the women’s team. So soft and gently spoken telling us the story which started the climb to the peak of their maintain – which was just to have a chance to play. It was remarkable to hear Michele Adams and Karen Jones tell the story I have read about so many times, in person, from the women who lived it. We bumped into Gwennan Harries and talked about the match and more besides. We were stood there in the company of Welsh footballing royalty. Women who have changed the landscape of sport and football in Wales.
What these women have done is special. What the current crop are doing is special. The emotion and passion for Welsh football was special. Seeing young women screaming their own football songs at their heroes was special. The reception the players gave us in return was special. Lucerne is special.
This weekend was special.
I tell my tale here of the trip, not because I want to show off about it, but because I know so many people will have their own magical tales about an important weekend. We need to hear and see them all so that those involved know the impact they’re having. Because what they have given us these last few days, truly is special.
Dai The Cry (and thanks Andrew Challis for that one…) @colemans_dream
PS – thank you to everyone who gave their time to chat to me over the last few days to make the match day podcast. Your stories were funny and inspiring and lush and it makes me so happy to celebrate being Welsh all over Europe. I appreciate it massively.