Wales 3 Cyprus 1
Euro 2008 Qualifier
Now that we were out was there any point in going to Cardiff? I thought yes at 5:45 on Saturday because we would we see that precious commodity of a Welsh win and it would take the taste of today away. Half an hour later, after learning that Cyprus had beaten Ireland 5-2 that small crumb of comfort looked to be in doubt. Like a masochist I decided to go anyway. There is also the kudos of looking like a true fan to think about.
This time I was going by car with Rob. We left Llandudno at 1:30 with all of the hope that we could muster. The last time that we went on a Wednesday we won so we were in with a shout because of this reason surely.
It's always nice to go down to Cardiff by Car with Rob, intelligent conversation and a nice view of the Welsh scenery. Some typical pureile giggling was heard near Llansantfraid, the village called Knockin does actually have a shop called the "Knockin Shop", it never fails. Each familar town that we pass through is a reassurring step that we are going somewhere important; Wrexham, Newtown, Llandrindod Wells, Pant.
I once looked at the route map from the AA website and noticed that all of the landmarks were pubs. I knew that we had to turn right at some point and after about 3 hours here it was; a right turn after a pub and on towards Brecon. As we got to Merthyr we thought that there would be more evidence of Wales fans travelling but there was none, apart from a couple of coaches.
It always amazes me that people aren't going to watch Wales when I go by car, we always manage to see more vehicles going in the opposite direction than our way. Everybody likes football right? Surely every redblooded male likes a bit of footy? Have I been misled by those magazines like Nuts? Oh I nearly forgot, Wales won't qualify. A touch of the Happy Mondays was needed to help put us in the mood for the night's action.
As we got past Merthyr and Pontypridd the traffic started to build, like my anticipation. A small queue had developed by the time we got to Cardiff but we were in the centre by 6, not bad. As we were looking for a petrol station the Cypriot team's bus sped past with Police outriders. We eventually found one near to the Millenium Stadium.
Whilst in there I said hello to the kilt wearer that I had met in Graz in May, rather rudely his name escapes me. After Rob returned to the car he told me that the guy serving him asked him if there was a big game on or something? Bloody hell we were around the corner from the national stadium and someone didn't know what was happening. I'd bet if Wales were going to qualify he'd be one of the first in line for tickets; "Oh yes, I've been following Wales for years"
After finding a parking space sustenenace was required. We decided on the traditional Subway meal followed by the Wetherspoons across the road from the stadium. It was a little under half full, if that. Consequently this meant that there was a lot more space to be found than on our last visit 3 years ago, when Wales were "Good". On that occasion I heard one of the loudest collective laughs in my life as Beckham missed his penalty against Turkey. England weren't on TV this time, although they were playing, it was Scotland. This was treated with incredulity by the 2 students at the bar. It was 0-0 as we left.
Before taking our seats we noticed that there were quite a few Cypriots in groups and this raised my anxiety level as they must be confident to come all this way. After we got in Rob was off to get drinks and I was off to attach my flag to a barrier. I was just about to hang it over the balcony when someone approached me. He told me that I was better off not doing that and putting it up on the third tier as he had. This was confirmed by a steward whilst we were chatting.
So I had to climb the stairs to the empty top tier but at least my flag hung proudly next to the "Dial M for Merthyr" one, which I recognised and whose owner I'd been chatting to. The reason why flags were prohibited was the old chestnut of not obscuring the advertising. Anyone subsequently attempting to contrevene this Iron Law was prevented, leading to arguments and hand gestures. One solution was draping flags over the empty seats on the tier below as some people I recognised from Rhos on Sea did.
I heard the anthems today but I couldn't hear much of the band due to the whistling of the Cypriots, how rude. The match was a nervy affair; even though Wales were attacking with good intent they lacked a little in accuracy. Every Cyprus move over the halfway line filled me with dread, losing to Cyprus would have topped Saturday for embarrassment and even matched Gould's tenure. Koumas then hit the post, will that ball ever go in?
Koumas finally put Wales ahead after about half an hour and I let out a noise born of frustration. The irony of his dad hailing from Cyprus was not lost on me, or the Cypriots for that matter apparently; indicated by their frequent booing. Earnshaw promptly doubled the lead. The Cypriot fans had been regaling us with their chants of "Wankers" and "Sheepshaggers" but became eerily silent after the two goals. Half time came with Wales in control and my joie de vivre returning.
With no chance of getting a drink due the queues I just sat there watching the rest of the crowd and trying to take in the atmosphere. At least the North Stand generates some atmosphere i.e. about 2 out of 10 people are known to sing at some point and is a definite improvement from our position on Saturday where about 2 out of 1,000 attempted to inject some atmosphere. It was at this point that I noticed a Super Furry Animal, and than another. I seemed to have stumbled upon their lair as this happened in February too. If you were still enough you could just see that the were drinking a cola-like beverage. I contented myself with a long-distance photo as my fawning may have scared them back underground.
After half time the fans around me were expecting at least another 3 goals, to judge from their anguished groans every time Wales went close to scoring and didn't. I don't know what happened but Wales looked like their minds were occupied. Cyprus enjoyed a lot more possession than the first half and Wales didn't use their possession particularly well. My level of nervous tension began to rise again. A perfectionist might have said that the Cypriot's long distance shooting left a lot to be desired but it was still too close for my liking.
The fact that Cyprus began to look a lot more assured must have fortified their fans as they became vocal again. This time we were "Gays", a nice touch of homophobia on a wednesday night. About six scallies behind us became particularly riled by this and started to threaten all of the Cypriots with GBH. Their pseudo-Soul Crew posturing was laughable and after about 30 seconds became very annoying.
About halfway through the second half the flag issue still hadn't been resolved to the one steward's liking. Before the steward left the scene his final words were "On go on then" to a group of fans still intent on anarchy. The warning from the steward sounded ominous, like an exasperated parent. When the steward returned he had the chief steward and the police for company. So it's now a criminal offence to obscure advertising. What made this situation even more absurd is the fact that this tier is too high to be seen on TV. On the other hand the adverts were for Brains Beer and I can see their point now, who's ever heard of Brains Beer in Wales?
Bellamy scored to make it 3-0 and we could all relax again and enjoy tha game. When Bellamy tried to dribble round the goalie but failed we were treated to "You're Shit and you know you are" by the Cypriots, meant ironically I hope. I decided to retrieve my flag and I was just coming over the top step Cyprus scored with a very good chipped shot. I returned to my seat and was greeted by the sight of a Super Furry Animal taunting the Cypriots fans satirically about their Island's political situation. Now we just had to wait for the final whistle.
We made our way to the car is very good spirits. This elated feeling did not recede for ages, even when it took us about 45 minutes to get out of the car park. Now we just put on the Happy Mondays again and relaxed, well not Rob as he was driving. We made our way majestically past the Celtic Manor, wait a minute that was our turn off. We now travelled over the newer of the Severn Bridges listening to Mark Radcliffe and laughing at the fact that people had to pay to come into Wales. 
By the time that we got to the Birmingham we felt a little peckish so we stopped at some services. The only food available was sandwichs that cost £4 and looked a bit limp anyway (Motorway Services, proof of the rules of Economic Theory). A packet of crisps and bottle of coke from the nearby petrol station would have to suffice then. A minibus full of what may or may not have been Cypriots arrived shortly afterwards, they were speaking Greek in the shop. No acknowledgement occurred on either side, we were merely ships that pass in the night. With that thought about human experience firmly in my mind it was next stop Llandudno.
When all hope is gone...
