Wales manager climbs Yr Wyddfa to name Euro 2025 squad
Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson following a squad announcement press conference at the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Image: Nick Potts)
Rhian Wilkinson scaled Wales' highest peak before naming her squad.
The Wales manager climbed Yr Wyddfa in North Wales ahead of announcing her 23-player squad for Euro 2025, completing the ascent in less than 90 minutes.
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Ms Wilkinson, who earned 181 caps for Canada and has Welsh heritage, said the climb was more than just a physical challenge.
She said: "I was listening to political podcasts that were getting me angry so I stormed up.
"We've used the mountain as a theme and an image throughout this campaign.
"It (qualifying) was always going to be an uphill battle with little setbacks.
"As we've moved towards the Euros we've talked about the summit, the Everest part of it.
"That something is impossible until it isn't."
The team travels to Switzerland as the lowest-ranked side in the competition, sitting 31st in the world, but Ms Wilkinson believes her players can defy the odds.
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She said: "Outside Wales people can think whatever they want.
"Our goal is to show up and deliver to the best of our ability.
"I am sure people will be looking up Wales on a map very soon."
The squad blends experience with fresh talent, featuring seven players with fewer than 20 caps and four centurions, including Jess Fishlock, captain Angharad James, Hayley Ladd, and Sophie Ingle.
Ms Wilkinson described Fishlock as 'the face of Wales.'
The biggest selection talking point was the inclusion of former captain Ingle, who has 141 caps but has not played since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in September.
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She recently left Chelsea after seven years with the club and is one of five unattached players in the Euro 2025 squad.
Ms Wilkinson said: "We needed to make sure that Sophie was in a good place.
"She's still on her path to full fitness but in a position now where she can contribute, which is important for us.
"I don't want to get into it (what role Ingle will be able to play) specifically because Sophie's pushing, she's looking really good in training.
"She has to be able to contribute in some way, that was the pre-requisite that I had.
"When she was able to meet that, she was straight into the squad."
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Wales begin their European Championship campaign against the Netherlands in Lucerne on July 5, before facing France and England.
Three additional unnamed players will travel to the training camp in Switzerland, but the main squad will first spend a week preparing in Portugal.
Ms Wilkinson said: "It's felt a bit heavy.
"You know when you've those big decisions looming you're going to hurt someone.
"It's the worst part of a dream job.
"For these people it's their dream and can push them onto great things."
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