02 September 2015
This week promises to be a historic week for Welsh international football as Wales aim to secure their place in the Euro 2016 finals in France. As they travel to Nicosia to face Cyprus on Thursday, 3 September Sgorio will broadcast extended highlights of the UEFA Euro 2016 Group B qualifier the same evening.
Three days later Wales will be back on the familiar ground of Cardiff City Stadium for another crucial qualifying match against Israel. S4C will also be there to broadcast extended highlights on Sunday, 6 September.
It is almost three months since that unforgettable night in Cardiff when Wales inflicted a 1-0 defeat on Belgium, which took Chris Coleman's men to the top of Group B. Having secured 14 points from their first six games, every member of the squad will be aware how close they are to securing their place in the Euro 2016 finals – 57 years since Wales last qualified for a major competition.
"We already have one foot in France, and I'm confident Wales will return home from Cyprus with three points," says Sgorio commentator and former Newcastle and Welsh international Malcolm Allen.
"There isn't a more confident team in the world at the moment than Wales. Everybody has been talking about the effect Gareth Bale has had but every single player in the squad has shown their devotion to their country. It will be a close game in Cyprus. The home team will be used to the warm weather but they don't have players like Gareth Bale or Aaron Ramsey.
"If we win in Nicosia then we'll head back to Cardiff full of confidence ahead of the game against Israel. We beat them comfortably away from home back in March so I expect another win for Coleman's team on Sunday. For the first time for ages the Welsh supporters are expecting, rather than hoping."
Joining Malcolm Allen in the Sgorio commentary team for both games will be Nic Parry with Dylan Ebenezer presenting all the action. Special guests for the trip to Nicosia will be former Wales internationals Dai Davies and Owain Tudur Jones.
Before the drama on the pitch however there will be a chance to relax in the company of the Euro 2016: Taro'r Bar team on Wednesday, 2 September. Dylan Ebenezer will present alongside football-crazy actors Aled Pugh and Huw Rhys as they look forward to the big games with a mixture of entertainment, laughs, banter and unusual challenges.
"Aled and Huw are obsessed with football, it's very hard to shut them up sometimes," says Taro'r Bar presenter and lifelong Wales supporter Dylan Ebenezer. "Malcolm Allen will be joining us in the studio once again to make sense of it all – and when you say that you know you're getting desperate! Aled and Huw are always coming up with weird and wonderful ideas you need to keep an eye on. In this edition they'll be playing a very unusual game called 'Footgolf'!" Also joining the crew is Natasha Harding who plays for Manchester City and Wales women's football teams.
In what could be a historic week for Welsh football; be part of the action with S4C.
Euro 2016: Taro'r Bar
Wednesday 2 September 10.00, S4C
English subtitles
Euro 2016: Cyprus v Cymru
Thursday 3 September 10.30, S4C
Euro 2016: Cymru v Israel
Sunday 6 September 10.35, S4C
Rondo Media productions for S4C
