Wales o75s lift ‘Euros’ crown in Cardiff!

An exhilarating o70+ & o75+ European Football Championships concluded with Wales o75s lifting the 75+ ‘Euros’ Crown...but, agonisingly, the o70s lost out to England in the 70+ competition...on goal difference!

The Wales Veterans' Football Association proudly hosted the inaugural ‘Euros’ tournament at the Ocean Park Arena in Cardiff from 8th to 11th June 2026. The hosts were joined by skilful squads from Germany, Denmark and England and following 3 days of hard-fought matches, which showcased superb technique, tactical awareness and physical fitness, ably assisted by 'Medic', Saffron Hall...Wales o75s were victorious!

In their first game, Wales o75s defeated Denmark, comfortably, 3-1 despite going a goal down early on. Captain, Gerry Jones, Evason and Gallivan were on target. On day 2, they faced a defiant German side and took the lead when a defender deflected an Arnold cross past his own keeper. Hold put Wales 2 up with a ‘daisy-cutter before 'commander-in-chief', Jones, completed the scoring off the underside of the bar. Their opponents replied with 2 goals of their own but Wales to win 3-2. They lost narrowly 2-1 to England in their final game (Evason again on the scoresheet), but with Denmark being held 4-4 by Germany, Wales had done enough to lift the 75+ Euros crown!

In the o70s tournament Wales defeated Denmark 2-1 in their first game with Peter Morgan and a hard-working Steer on target...but the team were to later rue missing several gilt-edged opportunities! Their second match, against Germany, was a tight, edgy affair. Wales had the lion’s share of possession, but Germany were dangerous with the set-piece, but thankfully Keeper, Meacham and centre-back pairing of Gibb and Young were in defiant mood and with 5 minutes remaining, Rowlands put Wales ahead after good work by Miles, to secure the win. In their final game, Wales needed to beat England due to their opponents slightly better goal-difference. The game finished all-square despite, the talismanic Morgan having a last-minute penalty saved by the ‘all-whites’ gloveman, Kirk and England claimed the 70+ crown...by the narrowest of margins.

This inspirational group of players can look forward, positively, to the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in Australia in October this year...the o70s will be striving to lift the trophy for the third consecutive year and the o75s hoping to emulate their European Championship victory.

Congratulations to the NEW o75s European champions, selected by managers, Tim Bowker and former Cardiff City legend, Jimmy Mullen...
Bob Locke (GK) - Merthyr Tydfil
Phil Williams (GK) - Newport
Steve Davies - Barry Town
Steve Hold - Penybont
Handley Brusted - Newport
Joe Quarini - Barry Town
Mike Williams - Penybont
Bryn Powell - Barry Town
Mike Soroko - Merthyr Tydfil
Billy Arnold - Barry Town
Gerry Jones - Newport
Mark Entwhistle - Newport
Rob Beel - Barry Town
David Stock - Newport
Peter Evason - Denbigh
John Gallivan - Denbigh
Bob Nelson - Pembroke
Hedley Austin – Swansea
Management Team: Tim Bowker, Jimmy Mullen and Dave Eveleigh

Congratulations to the following players who were selected by Wales o70s managers, Alun Huish, Jon Ross and Jason Kennedy ...
Alan Meacham (GK) - Swansea
Phil Gibb (Capt) - Barry Town
John Rowlands - Newport
Peter Morgan – Penybont
Peter Laffan - Swansea
Mick Algieri - Swansea
Terry Compton - Newport
Dick Steer - Penybont
Bryn Jones - Merthyr
Phil Newton - Swansea
Martyn Waygood - Swansea
Paul Diaper - Newport
Tim Bowker - Barry Town
Paul Young – Newport
Peter Barletta - Swansea
John Jordan - Newport
Paul Morgan - Penybont
Graham Miles - Barry Town
Kevin James – Newport
Management Team: Alun Huish, Jon Ross and Jason Kennedy