BBC Sport Wales
BBC Sport Wales
FAWWales’ Euro 2025 journey is over after a thumping defeat in opposition to England – however followers and former gamers have been left hoping it isn’t the tip of the journey.
The Lionesses’ 6-1 win over Rhian Wilkinson’s aspect confirmed Wales’ exit after a 3rd straight loss.
The end result ensured England’s Lionesses progress to the quarter-finals the place they may play Sweden.
However, regardless of the scoreline, Wales’ gamers have been instructed they may maintain their heads excessive after an historic first look at a significant finals.
Former striker Helen Ward stated the heavy loss “was not how we needed it to finish” however added “the Pink Wall remains to be behind them.”
Ex-Wales worldwide Katie Sherwood added: “This was step one – however we do not need it to be the final time we qualify.”
Wales – who’ve by no means crushed outdated rivals England – wanted an unlikely 4 objective win to offer themselves any probability of progressing to the knock-out phases.
However these slim hopes appeared over after simply 13 minutes when Georgia Stanway scored from the penalty spot, earlier than poor Welsh defending allowed Ella Toone (two) and Alessia Russo to make it 4-0 at half-time.
Beth Mead added one other after the break earlier than Hannah Cain smashed dwelling to offer a packed Wales away finish one thing to cheer, though Agnes Beever-Jones did have the ultimate say with a sixth late on.
Cain’s objective was a second to have a good time with the comfort which means a primary Wales objective in opposition to England in 45 years, one thing former ahead Ward referred to as “a second of historical past on a troublesome evening”.
The end result adopted a 3-0 defeat by the Netherlands and a 4-1 loss in opposition to France to finish a chastening first ever main finals for Wales’ girls.
However followers in Switzerland and at dwelling remained grateful for the expertise and the affect qualification may have.
Aimee Palmer, 20, from Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf, watched the sport in Cardiff and stated: “I feel all these girls on the pitch simply really feel like they’ve made a legacy for folks in Wales.
“They’ve left a legacy for girls’s soccer, and hopefully it will develop.”
Earlier, hundreds of supporters had combined within the Swiss sunshine within the official fanzone within the metropolis’s Marktgasse space.
Competitors organisers confirmed Wales had bought all of their 2,400 allocation whereas England had bought 2,100, though it was anticipated there have been extra followers of either side serving to fill the 18,251-capacity Area St Gallen the place tonight’s fixture passed off.
Welsh Tradition Minister Jack Sargeant was amongst them and, earlier than the sport, instructed reporters Wales followers had “taken over” St Gallen.
“Switzerland is our dwelling for this sport and this weekend, and what higher technique to have a good time the primary time we have been in a significant match than to convey the Pink Wales and Cymru to Switzerland,” he instructed Sky Sports activities.
England fan Vicky Morgan, 40, from Surbiton in south west London, had travelled to Switzerland with Welsh mates Hannah Maddy, 39, from Barry and 43-year-old Jo McSweeney from Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan.
“We have been mates for a really very long time. We met whereas at Cardiff College however nonetheless keep shut and have been in Switzerland for 2 days,” stated Vicky.
“I used to be on the final ultimate that we gained [England are the defending champions]. It was an immense sport and since then the sport has simply grown and grown.
“It is nice to see so many younger followers watching the Lionesses. I am a trainer myself so it has grown the sport in faculties as nicely.”
Among the many estimated 3,500 Welsh followers in St. Gallen have been representatives of the Wales girls’s strolling soccer squad.
Jane Clemence, 58, is from Cardiff and had travelled with teammates Leanne Williams, 47, from Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Juliette Payne, who’s lived in Merthyr Tydfil for 27 years.
Earlier than the match, Jane stated: “We have been to Sweden for the world strolling soccer championships final weekend representing Wales in numerous age classes. The over-40s acquired into the semi finals and the over-50s reached the quarter finals. It is a powerful three days – 25 minute video games, three or 4 instances a day.
“We travelled throughout by prepare and boat to get right here by way of Munich in Germany. You see the children going round with the women’ names on the backs of their shirts, we did not have that in our day. It is come on a lot within the final 30 years.”
