British sporting joy as Andy Murray wins and Wales power on in Euros
ALL of the United Kingdom can look forward to sporting glory to come after Scot Andy Murray’s win yesterday added to joy over the Welsh success on Friday night in the Euro 2016 contest.
Andy Murray and Gareth Bale celebrate reaching the next round of their competitions
The Welsh team achieved a thrilling 3-1 quarter-final victory over Belgium and not only the Welsh were still celebrating yesterday. For England fans shattered by their side’s 2-1 last-16 elimination by minnows Iceland, the Wales result offered a major consolation prize.
All three Welsh goal scorers against Belgium, ranked second best team in the world, were English – Ashley Williams, 31, from Wolverhampton, Sam Vokes, 26, was born in Southampton and Hal Robson-Kanu, 27, is from Acton, west London. They qualified through a Welsh grandparent.
Robson-Kanu does not even have a club after being released by Reading this summer.
German World Cup winner Lothar Matthaus messaged: “Wow! Fantastic! Did not see this coming!’’
England’s rugby World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward tweeted: “Totally amazing – not enjoyed any sporting match as much as this for a long time – totally deserved, hats off to this Welsh team, brilliant.”
Sam Vokes celebrates scoring his country's crucial third goal
Andy Murray beat John Millman in straight sets yesterday
Wales fans celebrate in Cardiff
Wales supporters go wild at fanzone after Euro quarter final win
Television and radio personality Danny Baker said: “Are you watching England? Our squad should be forced to pull the Wales open-top bus through the streets.”
re you watching England? Our squad should be forced to pull the Wales open-top bus through the streets
In France fans partied late into Friday night. The scenes were mirrored back home in Wales.
The team, which started the tournament as 1,000-1 outsiders, now plays Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired Portugal in Lyon on Wednesday for a place in next weekend’s showpiece final in Paris.
It is the best performance in a major tournament in Wales’ 140-year history.