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Excitement builds as Wales kick off 'new era' at Euro 2025

Chris Wathan
BBC Sport Wales
FAW Four female Wales fans all wearing red shirts standing in the crowd and cheering at the match. Two of them are wearing red and yellow bucket hats. They are surrounded by other fans who are wearing red shirts. FAW
It is estimated that 3,800 Welsh supporters are expected at the Allmend Stadium

It's a game many will have waited a lifetime for.

But the dream of appearing in a first ever major women's tournament is now just under an hour away from becoming a reality for Wales' players and fans.

Rhian Wilkinson's side start their Euro 2025 campaign against the Netherlands in Lucerne.

It is estimated that 3,800 Welsh supporters are expected at the Allmend Stadium for the 17.00 BST kick-off.

In December last year, Wales' women made history a reaching a major women's tournament for the first time.

It follows a journey that saw the national team not formally recognised by the Football Association of Wales (FAW) until 1993.

Officials are now predicting an explosion in the women's game in Wales, while vowing to capitalise on the landmark moment with the side's largest ever television audience predicted for today's game against the Dutch.

First minister Eluned Morgan will be in attendance as Wales face the 2017 European champions.

She summed up her feelings this week in a message on social media containing an image of her playing football in her younger days.

"I was once a young girl who loved to play football, so I know the heart, dedication and passion you've put in to get here," she said.

Carol Bell, who is the first woman to serve on the FAW board when she was appointed an independent director in 2019, called the team "trailblazers".

"This marks the beginning of a new era for women's football in Wales," she said.

A family pose and smile at the camera. Dan and Christina, stand at the back of the group while their children, Dylan and Mali, stand behind them. Dan is wearing a grey top and has his hand on Dylan's shoulder. Christina is wearing a black top and stands behind Mali. Dylan is wearing a blue sports top while Mali is wearing a red and yellow top and hat.
Mali is travelling with her brother Dylan, 11, mum Christina, 37, and dad Dan, 36.

The moment has not been lost on fans who have been gathering in Lucerne in central Switzerland since Thursday.

The Berrow family, from Caerphilly, say they are avid supporters of any Welsh sporting side - and felt they had to travel to Switzerland because of eight-year-old Mali's obsession with the Wales women's football team.

"I think they will manage to score in a couple of games and they will win a couple of games," said Mali.

Isabelle stands with her dad Leon. Isabelle is wearing a neon orange top with a flag with writing on it wrapped around her. She has her dark hair tied back. Leon is wearing a dark grey t-shirt and glasses. They are both smiling at the camera.
Isabelle travelled with her dad, Leon, to see the match.

FAW officials say they have been told Wales are expected to have more fans in Switzerland than all bar three other nations taking part in the 16-team tournament.

Isabelle, 12, from the Rhondda is very excited and "can't wait to watch the match".

Along with her dad Leon, 44, they have never been abroad to watch them but have been to every single home game.

She said it was "massive for women's football", and had a score prediction of Wales winning 3-1.

Many of the travelling supporters have congregated at the city's fan zone, where tournament organisers, Uefa, have arranged live music and activities to add to the celebratory feel.

Olivia, 16, is in Switzerland with her dad Lyndon and mum Nichola. She said her family were there "to support them, to encourage them and to make them feel more motivated to do well in the tournament".

Olivia, who plays football, believes Wales' involvement in the tournament will have an impact on domestic football.

"It will encourage people to play, to come and support them and watch the game," she added.

"The Welsh girls have made history just getting to the Euros," said Nichola, 52, from Cwmparc near Treorchy.

Three people looking at the camera. All have red Wales shirts on and the back drop is of Switzerland's mountains and sea. The man is on the left and has his arm around the girl in the middle, who is his daughter. He has a bucket hat on, in green, red and yellow and sunglasses hanging from his shirt. The girl in the middle has sunglasses on her head and long brown hair. The woman on her right has dark brown hair tied up and sunglasses on.
Lyndon says he thinks back in Wales, the team qualifying for Euro 2025 will help the women's game grow

Russell Wallis, 66, who is originally from Swansea, has travelled regularly to support Wales' men's team but is another on his first trip following the nation's women's team.

He believes Fishlock and the team are capable of causing some surprises. "They have done really well to get here in the first place, but I think they have a little surprise in them. I fancy them for a draw in their first match," he said.

Russell's wife Catherine Wallis, 65, says reaching Euro 2025 has put Wales "on a bigger world stage".

"We have been speaking to people who were saying they didn't follow women's football but now they are and it's great that Wales are there."

Excitement has also been building back home. Gwyl Cymru events have been taking place in the build up to today's game - including breakdancing competitions in Canton, Cardiff, live music in Clwb y Bont in Pontypridd and at Llofft Y Felinheli, all followed by a chance for fans to watch the match together.