EURO 2016
Five facts about the Wales national team
The Past
Wales have never previously appeared at a European Championship and last graced a major tournament at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. A team built around Juventus great John Charles -- a centre-back turned prolific centre-forward -- qualified for the finals
Not-so-secret weapon
Wales's lethal weapon is Gareth Bale, the Real Madrid forward, who scored seven of their 11 goals in qualifying and forms the speedy centre-point of their counter-attacking approach. Typically deployed behind a lone striker in a 3-5-1-1 formation, the lef
Foto:David RamosGetty Images
Qualification
Manager Chris Coleman hit upon a tactical masterstroke in qualifying by setting his team out with a three-man defence, marshalled by captain Ashley Williams of Swansea City. Wales mustered seven clean sheets in Group B -- including a 1-0 home win and 0-0
The Song
Fittingly for a country known as 'The Land of Song', Wales's official anthem for Euro 2016 is being recorded by Welsh rock band Manic Street Preachers, who released a string of hit albums in the 1990s and 2000s. The track, entitled 'Together Stronger (C'm
Gary Speed
As Wales gear up for the tournament, late former manager Gary Speed will never be far from the thoughts of their players, coaches, officials and supporters. The popular former Leeds United, Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers midfielder became head coac