Wales Under-21s can 'create history' - Jones

In August, Wales Under-21s boss Matty Jones signed a contract extension running until 2028

Head coach Matty Jones says his Wales Under-21 side believe they can “create history” by reaching the 2025 Uefa European Under-21 Championship finals.

Wales are second in their qualifying group after Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Iceland, with Denmark on the same number of points but top Group I based on their head-to-head record against the young Welshmen.

Jones' side play their final qualifier against Czech Republic on 11 October at Newport’s Rodney Parade, while Denmark’s last group game is against Iceland, who are third, four days later.

Wales, who have never reached a European Under-21 Championship finals, need to better Denmark’s result to seal automatic qualification for next year’s tournament in Slovakia.

Should Wales finish second – which will be guaranteed if they take at least a point against the Czechs – Wales’ youngsters will remain in contention for qualification.

The best three runners-up across the nine qualifying groups - not counting results against sixth-placed teams - will secure a place in Slovakia, with Wales currently second on that list.

The other six runners-up will progress to the November play-offs for the last three finals spots, with ties to be drawn on 17 October.

“Where we sit at the moment, I think it’s important to highlight that we were the bottom seeds coming into this qualification campaign,” former Leeds United and Leicester City midfielder Jones told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

“There was no expectation and no hope from anyone I suppose.

“But what we have done is built a level of belief and confidence that we can compete against some of the top countries and we have proved that.”

Wales have lost only one of their seven group games – at home to Denmark last November – while they have beaten Iceland and Lithuania twice.

They drew their away game against Czech Republic, who are fourth in the group, in October 2023.

“We have put ourselves in the position where we sit top of the table with Denmark,” Jones added.

“There is a runners-up position that will go into a play-off [at the very least], so ultimately we need one point from our final game to guarantee us that.

“But there are complexities meaning that if we win the game and Denmark lose, we win the group and create history – the first time ever an under-21s team [from Wales] will go to a major tournament.

“That’s certainly how we are thinking at the moment.”

The Czech Republic game is on the same day that Wales’ senior side face Iceland in the Nations League in Reykjavik.

With the under-21 fixture kicking off at 17:30 BST – and Craig Bellamy’s team in action at 19:45 BST – Jones hopes for a sizeable Newport crowd.

“Our final game being at Rodney Parade generates that excitement and atmosphere,” he said.

“We want to generate as much support as possible to come and watch our game.”

The likes of Fin Stevens, Charlie Savage and Joe Low – who have senior caps – started for Jones’ side in Iceland.

Jones says the change of senior head coach, with Bellamy replacing Rob Page this summer, has not affected his squad because of continued good communication between the two camps.

“What’s important and what’s quite refreshing is there is a buzz around Welsh football at the moment,” he added.

“My role is to try to help players transition into the first team and [make sure that] when they get given an opportunity, just like Lewis Koumas has done, they grab it with both hands.”