The achievement of reaching the last 16 must not be played down – this is a team who continue to find a way
I have lots of fridge magnets commemorating Euro 2016, which renew my vigour as I replace my son’s Petit Filous because he’s thrown the first one I got him against the wall. “You have lived your dream,” I think, staring at Ashley Williams acknowledging the Welsh fans in Lille, “and no one comes round because of Covid anyway, so why does it matter that we have historic yoghurt splashes on the ceiling?”
I had fallen in love with the current group of Welsh players long before the tournament began, but they are constantly creating more fridge magnet moments. Aaron Ramsey’s Italian adventure in Turin meant I’d forgotten he sticks his tongue out at moments of high excitement, if you’ve ever wondered what a gifted international footballer crossed with a picture of a Westie on a tin of shortbread would look like.
Related: Anthem lessons: how Wales bed in their players born outside the country
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