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07th Jun 2016

Chris Gunter left with family dilemma as Wales reach the Euro 2016 semis

Between a rock and a hard place

Tom Victor

Summer weddings and international tournament football have always had a habit of getting in the way of each other.

We’ve all got that one mate who agreed to get married in mid-June, somehow forgetting about the approaching tournament, and unless they choose to show a match at their reception (thanks Jamie), things can get awkward.

Jamie Vardy did the smart thing and got married more than a week before the start of the tournament, but Wales defender Chris Gunter isn’t quite as lucky.

The most-capped player in Chris Coleman’s squad isn’t even getting married himself – brother Marc is the one tying the knot, and Chris is the best man.

Sweden v Wales - International Friendly

 

Marc Gunter is due to get married in Mexico on July 7, the South Wales Evening Post reports.

But he didn’t count on Wales reaching the semi-finals in France.

“[The wedding] was booked just after we qualified. He’s taken quite a lot of stick and it’s caused a couple of problems,” Chris told the paper back before the tournament began.

“He hasn’t moved his wedding and I’m supposed to be best man so I’m hoping that I can’t make it.”

Admittedly, major international tournaments aren’t normally likely to be a major consideration when booking a wedding as a Welshman, so this turn of events is especially unfortunate.

Chris Gunter was also best man at Aaron Ramsey’s wedding in June 2014 – in the middle of a World Cup for which Wales failed to qualify.

But group stage victories over Slovakia and Russia, followed by a 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland and a stunning comeback win against Belgium, mean Wales have a semi-final against Portugal to look forward to.

You can’t help but feel sorry for Marc Gunter, even if he showed a lack of faith in his brother and the rest of Chris Coleman’s squad.

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