The Wales National Team have a history of posing badly for squad photos at major international tournaments, and the women’s team recently reminded everyone of that fact before making their long-awaited Women’s European Championship debut on Saturday afternoon, which ended in a 3-0 defeat against the Netherlands.
Women’s Super League stars Vivianne Miedema and Victoria Pelova scored just after the second half commenced, before Esmee Brugts struck on the hour mark to ensure that Oranje Leeuwinnen finished with a flourish at Lucerne’s Swissporarena. A dominant performance on what was a milestone day for Wales is the talk of the town, but discourse has also surrounded the nation’s bizarre pre-match tradition. See their awkward squad photo below:
The chaotic pre-match squad photo has become part of tournament tradition for Wales these days, but some may not be aware of the origin story behind the random ritual. It has been pictured at both women’s and men’s international tournaments since Euro 2016, when the men made it all the way to the semi-finals in France with the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale starring.
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Story Behind Wales’ Bizarre Pre-Match Squad Photos
It has previously been a good luck charm for the side
Speaking back in 2016 – when the images first started to go viral – Joe Ledley outlined that they noticed they were getting “lucky” whenever they took an unusual squad photo.
“We were just not very good at them. At first, we didn’t look into it, but then gradually a few photos got together, and it was awful, so we just thought we may as well keep it the same,” he said, as per Belfast Live.
“It’s been lucky for us too. It’s not really superstitious, but I don’t think we will have a proper photo.”
Jonny Williams backed up Ledley’s claims in 2016, adding: “I wasn’t there at the last game, but it looked on the TV like it’s got worse. I’ve been involved in a couple, but they were by accident, to be fair.
“I just don’t think we’re very good at them, and now we’re just doing it for banter I think, but I don’t know how much further we can go….unless we leave Wayne Hennessey on his own at the back!”
The women’s side will have at least two more opportunities to produce some more wild squad photos, with their remaining two group fixtures coming against France and England. However, with both these nations among the favourites for glory next month, the chances of Wales progressing to the knockout stages are relatively slim as they sit bottom of Group D.