Cymru MU19 head coach Chris Gunter believes his players have a massive opportunity as the country prepares to host the UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals on what is the 150th anniversary of the Football Association of Wales.
“I’m really pleased with the final squad,” explained Gunter as he confirmed his 20 players this week. “The opportunity to play in a home tournament is massive. To play in front of our own fans in our own country is something that we never get to do, it’s one I’m really excited about and I know the players can’t wait to get going. It’s a huge opportunity for us.”
Cymru were placed in Group A for the eight-team tournament and will begin their campaign against nine-time champions Spain on Sunday, 28 June (6pm) before taking on Germany on Wednesday, 1 July (8pm) and Denmark on Saturday, 4 July (2pm). All of Cymru’s group fixtures will take place at the Cae Ras in Wrexham. The tournament runs until 11 July with tickets available here.
“There were a few sleepless nights and long days,” said Gunter regarding the selection process. “We were away in Spain last week for a couple of games and it was a really competitive squad to get into, so naturally there was always going to be a few big calls and disappointed people. It wasn’t something I overly enjoyed, but I’m really pleased with the strength of the squad we’ve got now.
“Unfortunately, you can’t pick them all, but I think it was done in the right way in terms of informing them and it doesn’t mean it’s the end of their international careers. It’s a big thing obviously to be involved, but it doesn’t mean because you’re not in this one that moving forward, you’re not going to be back in the squad.”
Croatia, Serbia, Italy and Ukraine were placed in Group B when the draw was made back in April for the tournament that will take place between 28 June and 11 July. In addition to the Cae Ras, fixtures will also take place at Caernarfon, Denbigh and Bangor.
Gunter was at the Cae Ras to announce his squad this week, the same venue where he made his senior Cymru debut at the age of just 17 against New Zealand back in May 2007. “This was where my international career began,” he explained. “It feels like a long time ago now, but it’s a place that’s steeped in the history of Welsh football and personally I have some really good memories.”
Between 2007 and 2022, Gunter made 109 senior international appearances and went to three major tournaments, but also represented Cymru at U17, U19 and U21 level. His experience makes him the perfect figurehead to lead the squad into this tournament and highlighted the progress that has already been made by players from his squad that have been involved with Craig Bellamy’s senior side.
“That’s the challenge and the opportunity for them,” he added. “You look at players like Dylan (Lawlor) now who has gone on and has played the last few senior games. It can come around really quickly, and for these players we’re hosting EURO 2028 in two years’ time, and their aim is to try and force their way into that squad. The challenge for them now is to show how good they are against the best in Europe.
“I don’t really care who we’re playing against, it’s about what we are and we do. Playing those types of teams is a challenge of course but it’s something I want our players to experience and there’s no fear. I want to expose our players to playing against the very best and show everyone how good they are. For us, it’s about making sure everything that makes us a good team, we do.
“Any players that go and get the opportunity to go with the senior team makes my job easier because they come back even better. I expect the ones who were away last time to be coming back with a real spring in their step and lead and show the younger ones in our squad what it feels like when they move up.”
