It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since Wales’ incredible run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016.
Chris Coleman’s side, which contained the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, looked like they were on the cusp of something unthinkable before they were unbeaten by eventual winners Portugal.
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Getty Images
But the journey the Red Dragons embarked on five summers ago was nonetheless quite remarkable, with the squad returning from the tournament national heroes who wrote themselves into Welsh folklore.
It would be difficult to pick out a stand-out moment, though it would be hard not to give that to Hal Robson-Kanu. Footage of the striker’s sensational Johan Cruyff-esque turn and goal against Belgium in the last eight is still played everywhere.
A lot has changed since then, with Robert Page tasked with steering Wales through the tournament owing to Ryan Giggs’ ongoing court case.
Bale and Ramsey would probably both agree that they headed into the aforementioned competition in a better state physically and mentally to where they are currently.
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Juventus midfielder Ramsey has been blighted by injuries, playing in only 19 of Wales’ 44 games since Euro 2016.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid outcast Bale struggled for regular first-team football during his loan stint at Tottenham last season – although he did notch up 11 Premier League goals.
Ramsey is using his own personal fitness team in order to ensure he is ready for Wales’ Euro 2020 campaign, while question marks still hang over Bale’s domestic future.
Ultimately, the pair are still more than capable of operating at the highest level and can play their part in helping Wales to the knockout stage once more.
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Italy will undoubtedly be the favourites to top Group A, and one suspects Switzerland will be Wales’ rivals for second place, although Turkey cannot be completely discredited.
With that said Wales have more than enough to advance past a tricky looking group to the last 16.
Should Page’s men finish second Denmark would be their most likely opponents, and while they could still qualify as one of the best-performing third-placed sides they’d definitely want to avoid that at all possible costs.
If that scenario arose then they could play Belgium in Seville, or one of France, Germany or Portugal in Bucharest. A pretty formidable quartet – let’s be honest.
The aforementioned duo have both warned the younger players in the squad that the atmosphere will be different without their ‘red wall’ of fans – and they have a valid point.
The ‘Together Stronger’ motto became a legendary part of Wales’ success at Euro 2016, with the message also posted around the team’s current hotel.
Do not rule out the Welsh springing a surprise or two at this tournament – they have history for that sort of thing after all.
And what a perfect time it would be for Bale and Ramsey to silence their critics – once and for all.
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