Key events
Our reader Liam McCubbin has made a severe lapse in judgement!
“Off to see Chris Staples, only realised the mistake when the small Welsh contingent (hi Nick) asked which Irish bar in Barcelona we are watching it in.
“Will read your report on the way home, regardless of score.”
Fear not Liam. I’m quite confident you’ll be happy when you see the result.
Please remind me of this if I get it wrong but I’m saying 2-0 to Wales.
Wales can draw upon recent experience in Euro play-offs. They beat Austria and Ukraine to qualify for the World Cup two years ago.
They are of course missing Gareth Bale who was instrumental in ending a 64-year absence from the greatest show on earth.
Those of us who don’t consume Welsh football content every day must have had similar reactions.
Did you also blink and an entire golden generation seemed to shuffle off the board? That’s how fast things can move sometimes but the Welsh aren’t standing still.
Manager Rob Page has placed his faith in youth. Teenagers and young ‘uns in their early 20s are a feature across the squad and the boss reckons Wales are a force on the rise.
Here’s Ben Fisher’s take on what I’m legally obligated to call ‘the project’:
Speaking of Teemu Pukki. Our man Ewan Murray spoke with the former Norwich striker and found him in bullish mood.
Finland team news
I’m not going to pretend to have intimate knowledge on this side. Especially when their main man, Robert Taylor, plays for Inter Miami and is injured.
Still, the familiar face of Teemu Puki is present. He’s now knocking about for Minnesota United where he’s bagged 12 goals from 18 games.
They’re playing with a back four with three midfielders. If Wales can flood them there they may have they may have the run of things.
Finland 4-3-3: Hradecky (c); Peltola, Ivanov, Tenho, Alho; Kamara, Schuller, Lod; Hakans, Pohjanpalo, Pukki.
Replacements: Jorenen, Sinisalo, Jensen, Hoskonen, Suhonen, Jensen, Soiri, Karinen, Antman, Uronen, Kallman, Niskanen.
Wales team news
Aaron Ramsey starts on the bench. He’s not quite right as her’s finding his feet through this stop-start season. It’s a potent looking front three though if they can find some midfield dominance.
Leicester’s ‘keeper Danny Ward gets a game having not played for his club for 12 months.
Wales 3-4-3: Ward; Rodon, Mepham, Davies (c); Roberts, Ampadu, J James, Williams; Wilson, Johnson, Brooks.
Replacements: Hennesey, King, Fox, Dasilva, Sheeha, Savage, D James, Matondo, Broadhead, Cullen, Moore.
Preamble
This is what it’s about. There’s nothing like the thrill of jeopardy in sport and there’s so much riding on this one.
Wales and Finland are just two games away from a spot in the Euros. First, they have to get through this one.
In Cardiff, with that crowd, and with the memory of a famous win over Croatia, Wales will back themselves.
They’re 31 ranking places above Finland but is that worth much? The Finns won twice as many games as Wales in the group stage (though they did play two games more) so aren’t rolling in as pushovers.
Still, it’s hard to think that Wales, even with the sheen taken off, won’t let up a chance to reach the big stage. Poland and Estonia await at the next hurdle and that’ll also be played in Cardiff.
Look, with the way the rugby side’s going, Welsh fans could do with a bit of cheer.
Kick-off at 7:45pm.
Teams and more updates to come.
If you fancy, please drop a line on email. Would love to hear from you.
