By Graham Thomas Ben Davies is part of the Wales squad chasing World Cup glory out in Qatar, but the Tottenham Hotspur star also wants to inspire the next generation. Davies – still only 29 years old, but already one of the most experienced players in Welsh football – is a huge advocate of young […]

Wales defender Ben Davies has praised Ukraine star Oleksandr Zinchenko as “a stand-out man” for the way he has conducted himself in the media ahead of Sunday’s emotionally-charged World Cup play-off final. The eyes of the world will be on Cardiff City Stadium to see if Ukraine’s national football team can pull off a win that would lift a country that has been at war since Russia’s invasion in February. A tearful Zinchenko spoke from the heart ahead of Ukraine’s 3-1 play-off semi-final victory over Scotland on Wednesday, detailing what it would mean for his country if they qualify for the World Cup in Qatar later this year.

When Wales take on Denmark in the last 16 of Euro 2020 on Saturday, they will have the backing of what is now a football nation. They will also have the solid support of the school where Ben Davies and Rubin Colwill both started their sporting journey. It was not always like that, though, as Owen Morgan recalls. The images of Ben Davies and Rubin Colwill in matches, and training, with Wales at Euro 2020 fill me with a strange mixture of burning pride and utter amazement. As a fellow former pupil of Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera Bro Dur, I am obviously thrilled to see them on such a stage.

Ben Davies wants to make more mad memories in Amsterdam as he looks forward to Wales’ clash with Denmark in the last 16 round of Euro 2020. The Danes booked their spot as Wales next’ opponents on Saturday with an emotional 4-1 victory over Russia in front of their vibrant fans in Copenhagen on Monday night  – summoning every ounce of passion and motivation in the wake of Christian Eriksen’s collapse with a cardiac arrest in their opening fixture. Denmark finished with only three points, but Belgium’s defeat of Finland meant the Danes clinched second place in their group on goal difference and they will now go to the Johan Cruyff Arena to battle Wales for a place in the quarter-finals.

Ben Davies admitted Wales had plenty of work to do after being held 0-0 by Albania in their final Euro 2020 warm-up game. Wales drew a blank in front of goal for the second successive game after losing 3-0 away to France on Wednesday. Robert Page’s squad start their European Championship campaign against Switzerland in Baku on June 12.

Robert Page is confident both Aaron Ramsey and Ben Davies will be fit and ready for Wales at the start of Euro 2020. The Wales manager is preparing his final week of plans before his team kick off their campaign against Switzerland on June 12, with one final warm-up match on Saturday when they host Albania at Cardiff City Stadium. Page’s side lost 3-0 to World Champions France on Wednesday and were forced to play most of the match with 10 men as defender Neco Williams was sent off after 25 minutes.

When Wales face Belgium tonight, it will be the latest chapter in an eventful recent rivalry between the nations. It will also be an opportunity for Swansea City supporters to remind themselves of one manager’s influence on both their club and country, as Jack Hammett outlines. It’s nearly five years since Wales last faced Belgium. If you can’t recall the match, it was the greatest night in Welsh football history. A few weeks later, a familiar face took over the Belgium managerial job – and is now in charge of the number one side in the world.

Caretaker manager Rob Page has urged Wales to finish their Nations Cup in style and use it as a springboard to the World Cup. Wales face Finland in their final group B4 game at Cardiff City Stadium tomorrow only needing a point to secure promotion to the top tier.

Gareth Bale has admitted he is still short of his best form after making his first start for Tottenham since rejoining the club.The Wales captain played just over an hour of his club’s 3-0 over LASK in the Europa League on Thursday night, before confessing he still has work to do on his fitness. There were occasional touches of class, such as the cross that led to the Austrians conceding an own goal, before Bale revealed he feels he is still at the pre-season stage of his own fitness.

Joe Rodon has hailed Jose Mourinho as one of the biggest managers in football after completing a dream move to Tottenham. And the centre-back is relishing linking up with fellow Welsh internationals Gareth Bale and Ben Davies after signing a deal until 2025.

Ben Davies expects Wales to show a positive reaction to their heavy Wembley loss when they face the Republic of Ireland on Sunday. The Tottenham defender captained the side in a 3-0 defeat to England, who wonthrough goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Conor Coady and Danny Ings. Ryan Giggs’ men do not have long to bounce back as they head to Dublin for a UEFA Nations League clash at the weekend and Davies said it will be a better showing.

Wales and Tottenham star Ben Davies has been advising Wayne Pivac on how rugby players should adapt to playing big matches in empty stadia. Wales coach Pivac revealed he approached the Spurs defender during a visit to the club on a fact-finding mission as he prepares for the busy autumn series of matches. Wales are due to play an intense period of six Tests in as many weeks, featuring a friendly against France, a rescheduled Guinness Six Nations appointment with Scotland and four Autumn Nations Cup games against opposition including England and Ireland.