What it feels like to be a proud Wales supporter

Two months ago, Rodney Marsh and Tommy Smyth asked me on Sirius XM FC”s Grumpy Pundits how far I thought Wales would go in Euro 2016. My response was that we were happy to be in the tournament, but qualifying for the Second Round would be a huge achievement in a group featuring England, Russia and Slovakia.

At the time, I could never have imagined that Wales would finish atop Group B and advance to the semi-finals. For a team with no major tournament experience since 1958, I thought it would be a bridge too far. Boy, was I wrong.

As someone who was born and bred in Wales, I couldn’t be prouder of Wales’ achievements. It’s the first tournament in my lifetime where I’ve had an opportunity to support my country, so it’s been a surreal feeling. It felt even more strange two weeks ago when I watched England against Wales in an English pub in Boca Raton, Florida. For the first time in my life, I felt like the minority in a pub full of British people. The pub was filled with close to 60 Englishmen. I was one of four Welsh people in the entire establishment.

Standing in that pub and overhearing the way that England supporters were patronizing toward the Welsh made me feel more proud of this Welsh team, standing up against adversity. Despite the loss, it made me want Wales to win more, and to see England stumble, as they did in woefully embarrassing fashion against Iceland.

Without a doubt, Wales’ success has been well deserved. Unlike England, Wales have a distinct playing style, as well as a manager who has a game plan that works. They play like a team, not a team of individuals. At the same time, just like Swansea City, the team is made of players who have a point to prove. These are not players with massive egos. They’re players who are fighting for their positions at their various club teams: Joe Allen (Liverpool), Hal Robson-Kanu (recently released from Reading), James Chester (West Brom), Ben Davies (Tottenham), Wayne Hennessey and Jonny Williams (Crystal Palace), Andy King (Leicester), etc. They’re not footballers who are added to teamsheets based on their name alone. They’re individuals that are stronger together.

Watching Wales fight for every ball and playing out of their skin has been a sight to behold. This is a team with incredible chemistry that are playing for the pride of their country. No one is shirking responsibility. Everyone is throwing their body at the ball.

It’s particularly an ecstatic experience for me because Wales has never been here before. I’ve gone through decades of cruel, heartbreaking losses, coming so close to qualifications to major tournaments but always failing at the last hurdle. Until now.

As a Welshman (and an American), I couldn’t be prouder of how well Wales has been playing. They have a terrific mental ability to stay strong in games even when the chips are down. They have a self belief that keeps them driving on. To watch them playing gives me such joy.

In the song International Velvet by the Welsh band Catatonia, lead singer Cerys Matthews sang, “Everyday I wake up, I thank the lord I’m Welsh.” This couldn’t be truer than right now during this fabulous tournament.