Monday, July 4, 2016

Wales at Euro 2016 RECAP: Breaking news as Gareth Bale faces the media ahead of historic semi-final

The Wales star faces a showdown with his Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo on Wednesday 

Live updates as Gareth Bale faces the media

After the elation of Friday night, Chris Coleman's men will now be firmly focused on the impending historic Euro 2016 semi-final.

Amid heightened media interest at Wales' Dinard training base, Gareth Bale will hold a press conference this afternoon and is likely to face questions about facing a certain Cristiano Ronaldo on Wednesday night.

There will also be plenty of build up to the Portugal clash and we'll be bringing everything to you LIVE.

Follow our updates below...

17.17 pm

Principality Stadium fanzone for the big one

Some big breaking news.

The Cardiff fanzone is going to moved to the Principality Stadium on Wednesday night.

All the details on how you can get a ticket etc.

How the media are building up the semi-final

Clearly, Wales are big news at the moment.

And the national media have been building up Wednesday’s semi-final against Portugal.


Football takes centre stage

An interesting comment piece from our resident rugby writer about how football is taking over Wales...


Ledley could be forced to cancel his wedding

You thought Chris Gunter’s predicament was bad.

Wales’ run deep into the knockout stages has caused chaos again.

This time, Joe Ledley is the man who could have to rearrange things and this is no small occasion.

The midfielder might have to totally reschedule his wedding!

Go here for the full story...

Wales' Joe Ledley dances in celebration after the UEFA Euro 2016 quarter final win over Belgium.

Bale was all smiles at the presser today

David Rawcliffe/Propaganda Gareth Bale after a press conference

Gareth Bale after a press conference

David Rawcliffe/Propaganda Gareth Bale was all smiles ahead of the semi-final

Gareth Bale was all smiles ahead of the semi-final

Huw Evans Picture Agency Gareth Bale talks to the media ahead of the semi-final
Gareth Bale talks to the media ahead of the semi-final

Options

You can dwell on the disappointment of Aaron Ramsey and Ben Davies being suspended for the semi-final as much as you like, but it won’t change the fact that it’s a reality.

Time to focus on the alternatives, we think.

This is how Chris Coleman could manage the dilemma...

Getty Images Aaron Ramsey reacts after receiving a yellow card
Aaron Ramsey reacts after receiving a yellow card

Gareth Bale press conference highlights

Here’s the pick of what Gareth Bale had to say...

  • He insisted this game was not about two player, but about two nations.

  • Praised Ronaldo as a ‘fantastic player’.

  • Bale said playing at the Euros is the ‘most honoured I’ve been’.

  • He said Pepe would be a big loss to Portugal.

  • Bale revealed that they are playing for the nation, the badge and for Ramsey and Davies.

Bale: The milkshakes are nice here...

“The milkshakes are nice.

“The people of the town have been brilliant, been happy to give pictures and autographs.

“It’s been great to stay here and I would like to thank hospitality they’ve given us.”

Do Portugal play boring football?

“Not at all, they’ve got a good defence and scored a few.

“They’ve been enjoyable to watch.

“I’m sure they would have wanted to win a few more games but they’re in the semis and you can’t ask for much more.”

Gareth Bale

Do you think Ronaldo is fit? It's been a long season...

“Yeah, don’t see a reason why not. For everybody it’s a long season, some guys played 66 games.

“As soon as you’re out on the pitch, all injuries and worries go away.”

Gareth Bale

Bale: Ramsey and Davies will be hurt, but they aren't showing it

“It’s horrible.

“The rules are difficult to take, sometimes you wish at this stage of tournament yellow cards would be wiped.

“You feel for them and they’ll be hurt, but they’re not showing it and they’ve given us more motivation to win so they can play again.

“We’re playing for the nation and the badge but also for them.”

Bale: Pepe would be a big loss

“Firstly he’s a fantastic player, he’s incredible for Real Madrid, professional and a great man who’s been very good to me.

“He’ll be a big loss if he’s not fit but if he does play he’ll make it difficult.”

Bale: We won't freeze

“They won’t dwell on the past, it’s a brand new game.

“It doesn’t make a difference. They are different situations with different pressures.

“We’ll enjoy it, we won’t freeze, hopefully play the best we can.”

Greatest moment of your career?

“It’s difficult to say, but it’s right up there, it’s the most honoured I’ve been, playing for your country is the biggest honour and to be in the biggest game is amazing.

“But we don’t want it to end, it’s our time, we want to continue fighting and hopefully make history.”

Gareth Bale

Is Ronaldo tense?

“I’m not too sure, I can’t comment on what he’s feeling.

“For me I feel comfortable.

“We get on well, we enjoy playing with each other, I’m not sure what he does off the pitch, that’s his private life.”

Gareth Bale

Bale: There are no stars, we're together

“The team is a star, there are no stars, we’re together, we work as one, we run for each other, tackle for each other.

“We get along like brothers, we joke around and have a laugh as you’ve seen on social media.

“We have no fear, we go into each game as best as we can.”

Bale: Ronaldo is a fantastic player

“He’s a fantastic player, everybody knows what he can do, but we speak about we can do as a team.

“Teams we’ve played had very good individuals, but it’s about how we perform as a team and by doing that we can shut out a lot of threats.”

Bale: We've always believed

“We all believed from the start.

“We didn’t come to make up the numbers, we’re here to do a job.

“We want to win the tournament, we’re a step closer but we can’t think past this game.

“Hopefully we can get the job done and look forward to the final.”

Bale: It's not about two players

“It’s not about two players, everybody knows that, it’s about two nations, 11 men v 11 men.

“It will be a very different game, they’re in the semi for a reason but we’ll enjoy the occasion as we have done.”

Gareth Bale press conference begins...

“It just an extra day recovery.

You get stiff after games so it was just a bit more recovery, nothing to be worried and we continue as normal.”

Gareth Bale

Watch Gareth Bale's press conference...

Watch things as they unfold below

Huge interest in Gareth Bale today

Our man Chris Wathan is there for us...

“We’re just a few minutes away from Gareth Bale arriving at the media centre for the sixth time during this tournament.

“Interestingly, the previous occasions have seen his appearance kept low-key with not much notice of confirmation, but the FAW made it known yesterday it would be the world’s most expensive player in the hot seat today.

“As a result we’ve seen huge numbers arrive in Dinard from every conceivable country... Russia, Spain, Italy, Norway, Germany, England and, of course, Portugal are among those in the centre’s busiest day.

“Security has been stepped up as a result.”

Wales could ruin Clattenburg's Euros

Mark Clattenburg is England’s sole remaining representative at Euro 2016 and he’s been hotly tipped to referee the final.

It would cap a wonderful year for the English official after he took charge of the FA Cup final and the Champions League final.

However, Wales could toss a real spanner in the works if they get past Portugal on Wednesday night.

It would mean Clattenburg would be unable to officiate because of UEFA’s regulation that bar British referees from taking charge of matches involving the home nations.

Mark Clattenburg will be hoping Wales lose to Portugal

Portugal have been training too...

Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo (L) and teammates take part in a training session

Cristiano Ronaldo (L) and teammates take part in a training session

Getty Images Portugal's teenage sensation Renato Sanchez
Portugal's teenage sensation Renato Sanchez
Getty Images Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo in training
Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo in training

Pepe a doubt for Wales clash

Portugal centre-back Pepe has missed training today with a thigh problem.

The Real Madrid defender has been in good form this tournament and if he were to miss the semi-final against Wales, it would be a huge blow.

Getty Images Pepe reacts during the quarter final
Pepe reacts during the quarter final

More training pics

David Rawcliffe/Propaganda Wales' Neil Taylor during a training session

Wales' Neil Taylor during a training session

David Rawcliffe/Propaganda Hal Robson-Kanu controls the ball in training

Hal Robson-Kanu controls the ball in training

David Rawcliffe/Propaganda Joe Allen and Joe Ledley tangle during training

Joe Allen and Joe Ledley tangle during training

David Rawcliffe/Propaganda Wales players during a training session at their base in Dinard

Wales players during a training session at their base in Dinard

Portugal's Andre Gomes talks about Wales...

I know Gareth Bale from the Spanish league.

I also played against British teams in the past so I know the way they play, their style.

They are very strong physically, they’ve got a very good team.

We are preparing to face very strong Wales team, they attack well. I think they counter-attack very well as well.

But we will use our weapons the best way we can to beat them on Wednesday.

Andre Gomes, Portugal

Wales back at it...

PA Wire Wales' Gareth Bale during the training session
Wales' Gareth Bale during the training session
PA Wire Wales' (left to right) Joe Allen, Jazz Richards and Jonathan Williams during the training session

Wales' (left to right) Joe Allen, Jazz Richards and Jonathan Williams during the training session

PA Wire Wales manager Chris Coleman
Wales manager Chris Coleman

Gunter attracting interest - reports

Chris Gunter, who has had a fantastic European Championship, is reportedly attracting interest from Scottish giants Celtic.

The 26-year-old has been one of Wales’ stars of the tournament and his performances are understood to have impressed Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers.

According to the Daily Mail, the former Swans boss is ready to trigger a £1 million release clause.



Lucky charm?

Sweden’s Jonas Eriksson has been appointed as the referee for the semi-final against Portugal.

He was in charge when Wales were utterly irresistible against Russia in the final group game.

Getty Images Referee Jonas Eriksson during the Russia v Wales match
Referee Jonas Eriksson during the Russia v Wales match

Joe Allen to miss pre-season tour

Wales’ Euro 2016 journey affecting how the players prepare for next season.

The Mirror have reported that Joe Allen will miss the Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the USA as Wales’ competition continues.

Jurgen Klopp and his men depart on July 21 but Allen, along with Wales ‘keeper Danny Ward and Germany’s Emre Can, won’t be on the flight.

David Rawcliffe/Propaganda Joe Allen hits the foam roller with Jazz Richards
Joe Allen hits the foam roller with Jazz Richards

Right answer!

If he wasn’t already, Chris Coleman became everyone’s favourite Welshman with this.

He was asked by the English media if he would ever consider taking on the top job with the Three Lions.

What he said next was glorious...


Good morning!

Welcome to our live coverage of Wales at Euro 2016.

There is plenty going on today and we’ll be bringing you all the build up to Wednesday’s semi-final against Portugal.

Wales’ run in the tournament has seen an increased attendance at the media centre and Gareth Bale will be holding a press conference later.

Should be a belter.

Stay tuned throughout the day..

CREDIT TO:http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wales-euro-2016-recap-breaking-11561922

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