No matter what happens against Portugal in Lyon on Wednesday evening, Euro 2016 has already been a memorable occasion for everyone connected with Welsh football.
Qualifying for the tournament – their first since the World Cup of 1958 – was an achievement in itself, but in reaching the semi-finals, Chris Coleman’s side have surpasses everyone’s expectations.
On the eve of the match with Portugal, Coleman spoke about Gary Speed, the man who many credit with laying the foundations for the success of this Welsh side. Speed died in November in 2011, with Coleman appointed as his successor two months later.
“Speedo, he’s not just a Welsh icon, he’s a sporting icon,” Coleman said.
“But I don’t need a game of football to remember Gary Speed. I think about him every day, my friend.”
Adding to this, Coleman also claimed that if it weren’t for his untimely death, he felt that Speed would be overseeing Wales’ push for Euro 2016 glory instead of him.
“He only had 10 games as manager. If he were still with us, he could be sitting here where I am now. Unfortunately, that was taken away.”
Wales have never reached the semi-finals of a tournament before and will face a Portuguese side that has yet to win a game in normal time at Euro 2016.
