MX23RW : Sunday, July 7 11:23:03| >> :600:725775:725775:

Ryan Giggs calls for Wales to "lay down a marker" against Finland

Ryan Giggs calls for Wales to
© Reuters
The Dragons start their Nations League campaign in Helsinki, with Bulgaria and the Republic of Ireland completing the section.

Ryan Giggs has challenged his Wales players to lay down a Euro 2020 marker when their Nations League campaign starts in Finland on Thursday.

Wales begin their League B, Group 4 campaign in Helsinki with Bulgaria – who visit the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday – and the Republic of Ireland completing the section.

But the delayed 2020 European Championship is on next summer's horizon and Giggs admits places are up for grabs heading towards that tournament.

"We've got some new faces, some older faces, and it's an opportunity for players to lay down a marker for what's going to be a big 10 months," Giggs said after arriving in the Finnish capital.

Wales Training Session – Vale Resort
Gareth Bale (centre right) and his Wales colleagues have next summer's Euro 2020 in their sights (Ben Birchall/PA)

"Obviously we want to win the game but with an eye on doing a bit of experimental work to what players can do at this level.

"It's been a good couple of days and everyone is looking forward to getting back to playing international football.

"We haven't worked together for 10 months and there's been a good vibe about this week."

Gareth Bale, who has been out of favour at Real Madrid, will lead Wales at the newly-renovated Olympic Stadium with Ben Davies, Chris Gunter and Wayne Hennessey also offering plenty of experience.

But there is a fresh look about Giggs' squad, with Liverpool full-back Neco Williams and Swansea centre-half Ben Cabango in line to make debuts over the next few days.

Giggs has had Wales' Under-21 squad on site at their Vale of Glamorgan training base this week as he attempts to encourage the next generation to realise their senior dreams.

"I wanted to get that feeling I had at (Manchester) United," Giggs said.

"Very often the youth team and the reserves would finish before the first team and come over and sit and watch us.

"Their aim is to be in that first team. They see the lads training, the good habits, some of their mates that they were playing with six months ago.

"It's realistic they could be in this team, whether it's in the next six months or next two years.

"It's important to get that club atmosphere because when the lads do step up it's not a big surprise. We also know the players and have watched them train."

Fellow Euro 2020 qualifiers Finland are expected to provide stern opposition, especially with Norwich striker Teemu Pukki featuring in their forward line.

Norwich City v Arsenal – Premier League – Carrow Road
Norwich striker Teemu Pukki was a star for Finland in qualifying for next summer's delayed European Championship (Adam Davy/PA)

Pukki scored 10 goals in Euro 2020 qualifying with only England captain Harry Kane and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo managing more.

"They are always a strong team to play against and now we're playing against the best Finland team ever because it's the first time they've qualified for a major championship," Giggs said.

"They'll be in the same boat as us with a lot of players under-cooked. You are going into the unknown really as to how the players are going to react.

"Some have had some minutes in pre-season, others haven't played for months. So it's about managing the minutes."

ID:412712: cacheID:412712:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8378:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Hal Robson-Kanu in action for Wales on October 30, 2016
Read Next:
Hal Robson-Kanu "itching" to get going for Wales again
>
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Tuesday, July 9
 
8pm
Semi-Finals
Spain
vs.
France
Wednesday, July 10
 
8pm
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!