Getty ImagesYou wait decades for Wales to appear in a football World Cup, then they only go and play two finals on one day – winning one and losing another.
It took the nation’s men’s team 64 years to make their second appearance on the game’s global stage at Qatar 2022.
But now Wales’ veteran players have taken it even further, making the final of the over-75s tournament, missing out in a defeat on penalties to England.
But redemption came just a short time later on Friday afternoon when the over-70s faced a team called Freddyfund, representing the US, and beat them in a penalty shootout.
The teams were playing on home turf, as Cardiff staged the Veterans World Cup.
The event, also including teams from Australia, Norway, Germany and Denmark, has been taking place over four days at Cardiff University’s pitches in the Llanrumney area of the Welsh capital.
“None of us ever thought we’d represent Wales and here we are, in our 70s and we’re doing it,” said Wales captain, Mark Entwistle, 75, as the tournament began.
Wales’ national men’s football team have only qualified for two World Cup finals tournaments, in 1958 and 2022.
They reached the quarter-finals in 1958, but were beaten by Brazil, who went on to win the trophy, and in 2022 they failed to get out of the group stage.
Fan Gary Bartlett, a walking football referee from Abercynon, said it was “absolutely amazing” to see both teams getting to the finals.
“Quite a lot of these guys also play walking football. It’s a very enjoyable sport for them, it’s great to see them playing and enjoying it at this level.
“They’ve done so well. I hope I can still do it when I’m 75!
“It’s all to do with being active, keeping fit. But more than that I think it’s the camaraderie of the guys being involved with the team. You can’t take that away from them.
“It doesn’t matter how good or bad you are, they enjoy it and that’s the main thing.”
With the players being of a certain age, the injury factor was a risk, with a few being forced to miss out on the final.
Steve Davies, 78, from Cardiff, battled through the pain of a torn calf but had to admit defeat after five minutes on the pitch.
He said: “I’m extremely disappointed with that. But these things happen I suppose when you get to 78.”
He added it “would mean the world” if Wales won.
Physiotherapists and ambulance crews waited anxiously pitchside in case of any nasty injuries.
“We have been treating a few people but, regardless of injury, they’ve all been really eager to get back out there, which is brilliant,” said Medic 1 worker Chloe.
“They’re all relatively fit, they’ve been practising, doing their stretches, which is really brilliant, so it’s not been too bad.”