Wales noticed a Euro 2024 place slip away through an agonising penalty shoot-out defeat by the hands of Poland.
Dan James was the tortured soul who noticed his spot-kick saved, as The Dragons misplaced 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
Total it was a spirited efficiency in a spirited ambiance however Rob Web page’s males couldn’t safe a spot at a 3rd consecutive main event.
Connor Roberts wore his fortunate attraction moustahce for added fortune but it surely wasn’t to be, however Wales followers did take pleasure in giving Robert Lewandowski an earful.
Tom Collomosse was on the Cardiff Metropolis Stadium to deliver you six belongings you may not have seen.
Wales missed out on a Euro 2024 place after shedding on penalties to Wales in Cardiff
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Connor channels Merv
Footballers are a superstitious bunch, which is why Wales defender Connor Roberts seems to be modelling himself on cult Australian quick bowler Merv Hughes.
Hughes was as well-known for his handlebar moustache as he was for peppering opposing batsmen with short-pitched deliveries and Roberts appears to be strolling the identical path – although he has some approach to go to match Hughes’ effort.
‘I believe it has performed about 25 Championship video games and by no means misplaced, so I hope that continues,’ he stated. ‘It’s the ability of the ‘tache isn’t it? I maintain asking my spouse if I ought to shave it off however she likes it so I am leaving it there.’
Roberts’ wheeze actually appears to be working at membership degree. He was a part of the Burnley aspect that cruised to promotion from the Championship final time period and since Roberts moved to Leeds, Daniel Farke’s males have reeled in long-time leaders Leicester and at the moment are prime of the pile.
Connor Roberts’ moustache has had an unbelievable report at membership degree however did not ship right here
Wales lean on Leeds lads
Roberts is one in every of 4 Leeds United gamers who’re key members of the Wales squad as Rob Web page depends closely on the boys from Elland Highway.
When he signed for Leeds on mortgage from Burnley in February, Roberts linked up with worldwide team-mates Dan James, Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon on the Championship leaders.
It’s price recalling, too, that John Charles, one of many best gamers British soccer has produced, spent eight excellent years with Leeds earlier than becoming a member of Juventus. He additionally scored 15 occasions in 38 video games for Wales. Not a nasty template to comply with, then.
4 Leeds gamers, together with Ethan Ampadu, had been a part of Wales’ beginning XI towards Poland
A no-show from Cardiff and Swansea
4 Leeds gamers, two from Tottenham, but not a single one within the Wales beginning XI from both of the nation’s two largest golf equipment.
With Aaron Ramsey on the bench, neither Cardiff nor Swansea was represented in Rob Web page’s aspect for his or her most vital fixture for the reason that 2022 World Cup.
This says much less concerning the massive two in Wales than it does concerning the energy now obtainable to Web page. 5 of the staff he picked play within the Premier League, with the Leeds quartet and Ipswich’s Kieffer Moore all attempting to get there with their golf equipment.
With Aaron Ramsey on the bench, neither Cardiff nor Swansea was represented in Rob Web page’s aspect
Poland’s Pozzo tradition
Poland are quickly creating a fame because the Watford of worldwide soccer, with present boss Michal Probierz the fourth man within the hotseat since Jerzy Brzeczek departed in January 2021.
He was changed by former Juventus and Portugal midfielder Paulo Sousa, who was out by the top of the yr as Czeslaw Michniewicz got here in. Michniewicz additionally lasted barely 12 months and his successor Fernando Santos didn’t dangle round both.
Now the baton has handed to Probierz – Poland’s fifth coach since Rob Web page took cost of his first Wales recreation, in September 2020.
Michal Probierz is Poland’s fifth boss since September 2020 – when Rob Web page took cost of Wales. Are they turning into the Watford of worldwide soccer?
Zalewski turns down Italy
Who would reject the prospect to play for the nation of their delivery, particularly when the nation is query is four-time World Cup winners and double European champions Italy?
That’s precisely what Nicola Zalewski, born close to Rome, did when deciding between the Azzurri and Poland. The 22-year-old defender opted for the nation of his mother and father’ delivery and received his sixteenth senior cap right here.
Nicola Zalewski turned down the prospect to play for Italy in favour of Poland, his mother and father’ nation of delivery
Robert Lewandowski was mercilessly mocked by residence supporters in a energetic ambiance
Robert Lewandowski feels Crimson Dragons’ wrath
Battle traces had been drawn effectively earlier than kick-off as each units off supporters tried to silence the anthem of their opponents via sustained chanting, whistling and booing.
Classless it might have been but it surely certain took the ambiance up a notch. And when Robert Lewandowski didn’t win a free-kick after colliding with Rodon, the Barcelona star was mocked mercilessly by the house supporters.
