Quote Originally Posted by Loramski View Post
Having seen the Glammy and Academy threads being banished to Sludge and Wales Bales' board, I've got my fears for this long running enormo-thread too. Let's see what happens.

Anyway, 8 years after a poorly funded Wales team were playing in the third tier of European hockey, a poorly funded Wales team started their third consecutive top division Euros today with a clash against the World Champions, Germany, in Monchengladbach. 3-1 down going into the final quarter in front of a full house was creditable enough (especially as the Germans had won the corresponding game 8-1 in 2021) but Wales managed to claw their way back into it and came up with a 3-3 draw, ruining countless accumulators in the process (possibly).

France up next. No love lost when they play, my lad got sin-binned against them in '21 for celebrating the winner in a French defender's face (when did that become a rule?). Then the World number one ranked Dutch team in the final group game followed by semis or 5-8th play offs.

Whatever happens it'll have been an adventure. The continued chronic lack of funding, in an increasingly professional sport, means that a fall back down the rankings seems inevitable at some point but the lads battle on and are always a credit to the family and friends who turn out to support them.
First time I’ve come across this thread and was not aware of whole story, although knew we had improved. Well done for keeping it going and very interesting. Welsh sport needs all the positive PR it can get.