Kelsey Lee Jones: Fashion Writer and Wales Fan following Euro 2016
My Welsh Euro 2016 top from LIDL, what a dream.
I’m sadly not in France for Euro 2016, but Friday night I did travel from the
Netherlands back to my homeland Wales, which was a nice consolation—there was a spirit in the air. I first met with one of my best friends who was sporting a new look especially for the tournament, he was buzzing to load his camper-van and set off with his gang for Bordeaux. Meanwhile my little brother and Dad were also journeying across French land, texts and funny pictures of them having a truly top time delivered to my phone through the day. OK, it sinks in, Wales in the Euros, this is exciting!
Photo:@ryanljones8. My brother Ryan sends a photo from inside the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux before kick-off.
I sat down to watch the first game of the tournament with my dear Mam we were giving it some in the living room! What a game. There were beatific feelings at the Nouveau Stade de Boudeaux thanks to the sensational start to the group stages. A valiant 2-1 win against Slovakia. It couldn’t have gone better for our boys, and deservedly so having waited 58 (!) years for this (not qualifying for a major tournament since 1958, it goes down as a bit of history in Welsh sport). The talismanic Gareth Bale and (blonde ambition) Aaron Ramsey continued proving themselves as two great footballing names. Ben Davies, an absolute hero defender. Hal Robson Kanu with that one vital goal, #DimHalDimHwyl indeed. Three fat points on the board.
There were some interesting stats taken from the game that I love: Wales become the first British team ever to win their opening game in a European championship, and Gareth Bale’s goal was the first ever scored by a British player directly from a free kick in such tournament. This can surely give the squad a huge shot of confidence going forth in the tournament. How big do we dare dream? Though we do have to look out in Group B, England clearly show a hunger of equal measure on the pitch, despite a resulted draw and a first-game win snatched from them last minute by Russia. The much anticipated Wales v England clash on Thursday should set to be an exciting one, top level pace to be expected. I’ll be watching it back in Amsterdam and hoping to round up some football friends. Yes come on Wales! #TogetherStronger
Photo: @ryanljones8. Peaceful and happy Welsh fans take it all in after an amazing day in Bordeaux.