DOHA, Qatar | Canada waited 36 years to make a return to the World Cup, but for Wales the wait was much longer at 64 years.
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“It’s hard to put words to our emotions, I’m 47 and I’ve never seen that,” says Tim. It’s fantastic, just look around, half of Wales is here. »
And it’s true, the Welsh were present by the hundreds, by the thousands in fact. This is huge for a small country of just over three million people that everyone associates by default with England, located just to the east.
“It’s very meaningful for us,” insists Tim. We come out of the shadows. I was talking to people on Friday who had never heard of Wales. »
National assertion
All you have to do is talk a little with the Welsh to find yourself in good stead with us Quebecers.
Because you see, as they are located on the island of Great Britain to the west of England, they are being swallowed up by the neighboring giant and their culture is taking the cold.
“This tournament is an opportunity for Wales to build national fiber, to believe in us, to be proud of who we are and to no longer be under the domination of England”, insists with passion spencer.
“We are a nation in our own right, we want to make noise and show what we can do. »
No class
This is only Wales’ second appearance at the World Cup. The last dates back to 1958. It’s not much better at the Euro where the Welsh have only been present twice, and that was during the last two tournaments. In 2016, they somewhat miraculously reached the semi-finals.
No wonder this participation in the Worlds is treated a bit the same way as the Series of the Century was treated at home in 1972.
“Today in schools, teachers stop lessons so children can watch the game, it creates great aspirations for the future generation of Welsh people,” said Colin.
For him, it’s a good way to generate reflection among young people and to make them aware of their culture, which remains fragile.
“It’s a good way to make them understand that it’s important to be Welsh and to define our nation. »
A bit of Canada
Before this World Cup, Wales had a privileged platform with the series Welcome to Wrexham.
This is a documentary in several episodes which focuses on Wrexham AFC, a club which plays in the fifth tier of English football even though it is located in Wales.
The particularity of this club is that it is co-owned by the American producer Rob McElhenney and especially by the Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds, who is interested in being part of a group of acquirers for the Ottawa Senators.
And as Colin comes from Wrexham, he takes particular pride in talking about it.
“I know a lot of people around the world watched it. It allows them to find out who we are.
“It’s a way of educating people about our culture, telling them about the Gaelic language and what it means to us. »
We repeat, Welsh and Quebecers have a lot in common. Moreover, seeing that we were from Canada, Colin approached us in French because he is sensitive to the cause of Quebec.