"Amazing, isn't it?" said diehard supporter Paul Cullen, 34, drinking in the sights and sounds of a vibrant fan park with his three young sons, all of whom play for the Swansea academy. "This competition is massive for Wales. We are the smallest nation in our group but that doesn't mean a thing when you have fight and passion and belief. I love it."
When Gareth Bale equalised against the USA in Cymru's first game at the World Cup finals since 1958, the fan park erupted. Strangers hugged, kissed and danced. The polite notices not to throw beer into the air were roundly ignored. The game ended 1-1 but few left disappointed.
"This means so much," said a dewy-eyed Paul Carroll, 40. "I may never see the like of this tournament with my kids again. It's the best feeling. I'm so proud."
This story is from the November 22, 2022 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the November 22, 2022 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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