Wales begin Euros campaign against Switzerland in Baku.

While some fans have made the trip to Amber-Listed Azerbaijan, most fans will watch Gareth Bale lead his side in Baku from back home

Author: Polly OliverPublished 12th Jun 2021
Last updated 12th Jun 2021

Its game day! And despite calls from the Welsh government not to travel, hundreds of Wales fans have gone to Azerbaijan for their opening Euro 2020 game.

Rob Page's side face Switzerland in Baku at 2pm.

Wales winger Daniel James believes it's crucial they pick up a good result and that a win would set them up to have a successful tournament:

"The first game's obviously so important because you want to go into the next game with that winning feeling."

Some of the Wales team's family members won't be able to attend the match.

Aaron Ramsey has been talking about what it is like being away from loved ones during big tournaments.

And told us about the special message he'll be sending his son during the match:

"I'll have a little chat to my eldest boy before and I'll be making sure that he knows that I know he's watching."

Hopes are high among the Red Wall that the success of the 2016 tournament, when Wales made the semi-finals before missing out to Portugal can be repeated - or bettered.

And with most fans staying in Wales, many will be watching Gareth Bale lead his side on the pitch from the pub. That's gone down well with landlords, Emma McClarkin is chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association:

"There's no better place to watch the sport than at the pub. We are the home of live sport and it is a really significant boost for the sector."

The FA Wales has paid tribute to the dedication of fans back home on Twitter:

And The Alarm's tournament anthem "The Red Wall of Cymru" might get you in the mood: