Wales have entered the knockout phase at Euro 2020 with dreams of matching (or perhaps even bettering) their performance of four years ago.
If they are to progress to the semi-finals once again, Rob Page’s men will probably have to pull out some of the best performances in the nation’s history.
First up comes Denmark in the last 16 – a team which has dealt with its own trauma at Euro 2020 and become the second team for most neutrals.
Nevertheless, Wales will be desperate for a victory on Saturday afternoon that would put them into the quarter-finals and leave fans plotting their route to the final.
If Wales beat Denmark they will be heading back to Baku – the venue for their opening draw with Switzerland and famous victory over Turkey in the group stage.
There they are likely to face a Netherlands side that scored eight goals on its way to topping Group C with a full nine points, although the Czech Republic will have something to say about that in their last 16 tie.
Progression to the semi-final could see Wales take on neighbours England, who will fancy their chances of making it past Sweden or Croatia in the quarter-finals… if they can make it past nemeses Germany in the last 16 first.
That last four clash will take place at Wembley which also hosts the final on 11 July but there is plenty of football to be played before Wales can start thinking of that.
Who do Wales play next at Euro 2020?
Last 16: vs Denmark (5pm on Sat 26 June) in Amsterdam
Quarter-final: vs Netherlands/Czech Rep (5pm on Sat 3 July) in Baku
Semi-final: vs Sweden/Ukraine or England/Germany (8pm on Weds 7 July) in London
Final: vs France/Croatia/Switzerland/Spain or Belgium/Portugal/Italy/Austria (8pm on Sun 11 July) in London
Page confident Wales can keep defying the odds
By Phil Blanche
Robert Page believes Wales have the right approach to continue their Euro 2020 journey by beating Denmark in Amsterdam.
Wales are cast in the role of outsiders at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Saturday, with Denmark fuelled by support from all over Europe following Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest in their tournament opener.
Eriksen is now recovering following his on-pitch collapse and it is at the home of his former club, Ajax, that Denmark and Wales will meet for a place in the quarter-finals.
“We think we’ve got a game plan that can hurt them,” Page, who has a full squad to select from other than suspended Chelsea defender Ethan Ampadu, said.
“It was about getting through, but we didn’t want to finish third in the group.
“We’ve earned the right to finish second and the credit has got to go to the players for doing that against all the odds.
“There were a lot of people who didn’t see us finishing second.”
Page said earlier this week that Wales had overcome a logistical “nightmare” to reach the round of 16.
Only Switzerland and Sweden have travelled more miles than Wales during the cross-continent tournament.
Asked whether qualification felt sweeter after so many logistical issues, Page said: “I suppose so, but we can’t grumble about it.
“This is how it’s unfolded. We’ve gone to Baku and Rome and now we’re in Amsterdam.
“We’re fully prepared and ready for a battle. The world has taken note of what’s happened [to Eriksen] and the emotion involved in it.
“We can’t get involved in that. It’s work for us as usual, we’ve got a job to do and we want to go and finish it.”
Page has been in interim charge since November, with manager Ryan Giggs on leave from his position.
It has been a remarkable journey for Page, whose previous managerial positions were at Port Vale, Northampton and the Wales Under-21 team.
The 46-year-old began his playing career at Watford and won successive promotions there under the late former England manager Graham Taylor.
“This is the pinnacle of my personal career from a managing point of view, and you take aspects of all managers you’ve worked with,” Page added.
“It’s only years later that you have time to reflect and look back at what Graham used to do.
“His man-management was excellent, his knowledge and understanding.
“He donned about four or five different hats. He was coach, manager, fitness coach, psychologist and, of course, you’re going to learn a lot from that.
“He was one of many good managers that I was blessed to work for.”
More from i on Euro 2020
- England aren’t ‘rubbish’ and Southgate isn’t a ‘fraud’ – we just need a bit of patience
- What the Premier League could learn from Euro 2020’s controversy-free referees
- The football nomad who became a hero for his role in saving Eriksen’s life
- How Ronaldo’s Coca-Cola stunt could change the face of football sponsorship
- How to watch every Euro 2020 match on TV and online in the UK
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3A3kBcU
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