Chris Gunter relishing home U19 EURO Finals with Cymru

Chris Gunter says he is relishing the challenges his Cymru side will face in this summer’s home UEFA Under-19 EURO finals.

Cymru have been drawn in a challenging Group A alongside nine-time winners Spain, former champions Germany and Denmark, and will face the record holders in the opening fixture at Wrexham’s Racecourse Stadium on Sunday, June 28.

All of this will provide Gunter’s side with a huge test, and the head coach admits that is something both he and his players will welcome this summer in North Wales.

“The game against Spain to begin with is why we all wanted to host the tournament,” said Gunter. “A country with great history at youth team level and it’s an opportunity and challenge everybody is excited for. I’m really looking forward to the boys showing how good they are in the opening game.

“Hosting the tournament allows us to test ourselves against Europe’s best teams and we have that with Germany and Denmark. The different styles and challenges that all teams bring will be a huge part of our player development which will benefit Welsh football in the future.”

During an outstanding 15-year playing career with Cymru, Gunter won 109 senior caps for his country and was a central part of Chris Coleman’s side that captured the imagination of the nation by reaching the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 2016.

The former defender made his senior debut for Cymru in 2007 at just 17 years of age and went on to represent his country at three major tournaments, while becoming the first men’s player to reach 100 caps for Cymru. He admits he will embrace his first major tournament as a coach and is looking forward to guiding the next generation of Welsh players through a landmark home European Championship.

“Personally I cannot wait for the tournament to start and seeing the players perform in a major finals,” he added. “From my own experience and knowing what tournament football can give you as an international player, I’m extremely proud to lead these boys and staff into this summer and showing all the positive work being done.

“Hosting a EURO finals is an amazing opportunity for our young players to show the very best of Welsh football on the biggest stage and playing at home in front of our supporters is something they will never forget. Everybody at the FAW has worked so hard to host the tournament and my message to our fans would be the same as it’s always been, show everybody why you are the best and support our best young talent.”