Ryan Giggs believes Wales are involved in a cup final against Denmark tonight where the stakes are higher than most fans realise.
Giggs’ team host the Danes at the Cardiff City Stadium in their final match of the inaugural Nations League competition, a tournament that had plenty of critics when it was introduced.
It may still be difficult to understand – unless you devote the time to digesting the extensive fine detail – but the primary aim appears to have been a huge success.
Friendly internationals held a waning interest for most fans, but by gathering up all those games that are not qualifiers for the World Cup or European Championship, and creating a third competition, the calendar outside of club football has been revitalised.
Players have looked motivated. The prizes have ensured that. Not only is there £1m at stake for the FAW, but if Wales beat the Danes they will put themselves within two games of qualifying for Euro 2020 – should they fail to get there automatically – and into the top group for the next Nations League competition in two years’ time.
A sell-out crowd of around 33,000 expected and manager Giggs says. “There’s lots of incentives to top the group.
“First of all to win a really competitive group would be great, and then you get a second bite of the cherry with regards to qualifying for the Euros if you don’t qualify automatically – and it has an effect on the seedings come the Euro [2020] draw as well.
“And I think for everyone – coaching staff, the players, the fans – to know you’re going into Group A and that the next time the Nations League comes around you’re going to be among the big boys, it would great, because you want to play and test yourself against the best.”
Gareth Bale has declared himself fit – It might have been otherwise had this been a friendly – whilst youngsters such as Harry Wilson and David Brooks have established themselves during proper, competitive matches.
But the Danes have an enviable recent record, having lost just twice in their last 23 international matches and they beat Wales with comfort in the home fixture in this competition.
They have one genuine world class player in Tottenham’s Christian Ericksen, but plenty of other very good ones, including Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel who says he is coming up against “an idol” in Giggs.
Schmeichel has known Giggs since he was a child, as his father Peter and the Wales manager were team-mates in the all-conquering Manchester United team of the 1990s.
But Schmeichel will be standing in Giggs’ way when Wales and Denmark battle for top spot in their group and the prize of Nations League promotion.
“Ryan Giggs is an idol – I don’t think there’s any other words for him,” Schmeichel said.
“What he achieved at Manchester United, and what he achieved in football, is unparalleled.
“He’s someone I’ve known since I can remember from my time living in England.
“I watched him countless times at The Cliff (United’s former training ground) with my dad, and he’s someone I’ve admired right through my career.
“If anyone could have a fraction of the career he’s had they would be very happy.
“He’s always been really supportive every time I’ve met him, he’s been nothing but a gentleman.”
Schmeichel could take over the Denmark captaincy at the Cardiff City Stadium, with Sevilla defender Simon Kjaer absent due to a hamstring injury.
But it will be an emotional return for Schmeichel, as it was less than two weeks ago that Leicester played their first game in Cardiff following the death of owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four others in a helicopter accident.
“It’s still very raw and everyone at the club is working hard through it,” Schmeichel said.
“It’s the same (with the national team), everyone has been supportive.
“But it is what it is and just a matter of taking each day at a time.”
Denmark manager Age Hareide refused to name his captain ahead of the game, saying “there is no need to do it now”.
But Hareide was willing to discuss what joining the elite of European football in the Nations League would mean to football in his country.
Victory for either side would see them promoted, while a draw would leave Denmark needing to beat the Republic in their final game at home to take top spot.
“It’s very important to develop the side,” Hareide said.
“To do that we need as good as opposition as possible.
“It’s difficult to play against the best teams because they would rather play each other, so to be among them would be a great possibility for us.
“This is a final. But Wales are a good side who want to play football, and if you let them play they are good.
“We have to be compact defensively as we were when we played them in September (Denmark won 2-0 in Aarhus) and find the space to attack them.”
