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Six reasons why Wales's Euro 2016 semi-final is so huge

Gareth BaleEPA

There's no doubting that Wales's Euro 2016 semi-final against Portugal on Wednesday night is a massive deal.

It's the country's biggest game in their history - they've never got this far at a major tournament before.

Here are six other reasons why it's a huge moment for Wales...

It's their first major tournament in 58 years

  • The last time Wales qualified for a major tournament was in 1958, when they got to the World Cup quarter-finals in Sweden. They were knocked out by Brazil, when Pelé scored to make it 1-0.

Getty Images

Brazil's Pele (left) playing against Wales in 1958

It's 20 years since a British team last made a major semi

  • They're the first home nation to get to a major championship semi-final since England got to the semis in Euro 1996.

Chris Coleman had a shaky start as manager - but he's really turned it round

Turnaround for Chris Coleman

  • Manager Chris Coleman hasn't always led his team to victory. When he started managing the team in 2012 he lost his first four games - the worst start by any Wales manager.

One Wales player doesn't even have a club

  • Winger Hal Robson-Kanu, who scored Wales's second goal in the quarter-final, doesn't even play for a team at the moment! Looks like his Euros performance might change that - he says he's had offers from around the world.

PA

Joe Ledley had to postpone his wedding because Wales have got so far in the tournament

A lot of the players stand to miss big events

  • Manager Chris Coleman's wife Charlotte is due to have a baby this month. Joe Ledley has had to postpone his wedding, which was supposed to happen on Saturday - he obviously hadn't been expecting the team to go this far! Chris Gunter will miss his brother's wedding in Mexico and he will do his best man's speech via Skype.

Wales have even got royal support...

  • Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, has sent them a message of support, saying: "I'm sure they have got a very good chance of beating Portugal. Everyone here will be keeping their fingers crossed."

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