Wales under 17s begin their Euros campaign on Monday after back-to-back qualifications for the tournament.

Last summer, the U17s became the first age group male national side to compete at an age grade tournament since 1981.

Now they are looking to grow from last year where they just missed out on the quarter finals on the back of a stellar qualifying campaign.

Wales beat Belgium through a 91^st minute Elliott Myles winner, along with winning 4-0 against Gibraltar, before beating both Romania and Bulgaria 2-1 through goals from captain Oliver Bostock, an own goal and two more from Norwich’s Myles.

This year, the team are almost entirely different to the one which played in Hungary 12 months ago with defender Brayden Clarke the only player who has featured in both squads.

Clarke recently moved to Arsenal from Wolverhampton Wanderers and his experience from last year will be vital to Wales’ young guns.

“I can take all those experiences from last year and take more of a leadership role,” said Clarke.

“It’s a good opportunity with a big turnaround from last year, in Hungary I could sit back and watch the likes of Charlie Crew and Gabriele Biancheri but now I need to take more of a role.”

Wales are one of 16 teams at the Euros in Cyprus and have been drawn against Denmark, Austria and Croatia.

“We’ll be taking it game by game and not seeing the occasion and we’ll see what happens,” said Clarke.

“We don’t know much about any of the sides at this age group but we’ve seen their results in qualifying and they are three big teams but we know we can beat big teams after the win against Belgium.”

Wales are led into the tournament by captain Bostock who has been at West Brom since he was six but spent six months out last year with a stress fracture.

“We’re very confident going into this tournament after the win against Belgium, a top team and that goal will live long in the memory,” said Bostock.

“We’re not going to look too much at the opposition or what they can do as we need to focus on ourselves and as long as we do that we have a chance at success.

“It’ll be an enjoyable experience and with a lot of family and friends going out that will be good but I’m focusing on things on the pitch.”

Bostock is qualified for all four home nations but says it hasn’t been a difficult decision to remain with Wales due to the support and opportunities he has received.

“In the first camp after I came back from my injury one of the coaches came up to me and offered me the captaincy,” says Bostock.

“Since then it’s gone well for me and they’ve stuck by me which is great.”

Bostock has been a key component since his return, scoring in wins against Romania and Gibraltar in qualifying as well as friendly goals against Georgia and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Clarke is eligible to play for England whilst his father Nigel Quashie played for Scotland but if things go to plan, both could feasibly be part of Wales setups for the next 15 years.

Therefore, the experiences of this tournament, along with the bonds made with their teammates, could be crucial for their and Wales’ futures.

“It’s massive for all of us, even the coaches, the experience of going out there,” said Clarke.

“Hopefully we’re there for the whole tournament and you see the influence it’s had on the likes of Crew and Biancheri.

“Where could we be in our careers? If we all get opportunities, then who knows!”

 

Wales Fixtures 

Wales v Denmark – 20.05.24  – 16:00 BST

Austria v Wales – 23.05.24 – 18:30 BST

Wales v Croatia – 26.05.24 – 16:00 BST