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Euro 2016: Thousands of fans welcome Wales team home in Cardiff Euro 2016: Thousands of fans welcome Wales team home in Cardiff
(about 1 hour later)
The Wales football team has received a heroes' welcome outside Cardiff Castle after their historic run at Euro 2016. The Wales football team have received a heroes' welcome in Cardiff after their historic run at Euro 2016.
The players, management and support staff were cheered through St Mary Street, where they boarded an open top bus. They touched down at Cardiff Airport just after 14:30 BST before boarding an open-top bus outside Cardiff Castle.
Tens of thousands of fans have lined the city to catch a glimpse of the squad. Tens of thousands of fans lined the route from the castle to Cardiff City Stadium, where the Manic Street Preachers will play to 33,000 people.
The bus is heading to Cardiff City Stadium where the Manic Street Preachers will play to 33,000 people. Proud Wales manager Chris Coleman said: "They didn't want to let their country down and they certainly didn't."
The Football Association of Wales (FAW) said the event would be a "fantastic experience" for players and supporters. Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, Coleman added: "This is what it's all about, this is why the players work so hard to represent their country.
Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, Wales manager Chris Coleman said: "This is what it's all about, this is why the players work so hard to represent their country. "They knew there was a nation waiting for them."
"They knew there was a nation waiting for them.
"I'm so proud, they didn't want to let their country down and they certainly didn't."
Wales goal scorer Hal Robson-Kanu said: "We're proud that we've helped create this.Wales goal scorer Hal Robson-Kanu said: "We're proud that we've helped create this.
"It's been a long tournament but we're glad to be home.""It's been a long tournament but we're glad to be home."
His fellow Wales goal scorer, Sam Vokes, said: "It's amazing the amount of people that have come out to welcome us.His fellow Wales goal scorer, Sam Vokes, said: "It's amazing the amount of people that have come out to welcome us.
"You're almost in a bubble when you're out in France, so to come back and see these scenes is amazing.""You're almost in a bubble when you're out in France, so to come back and see these scenes is amazing."
Several local schools had given youngsters the afternoon off classes so they could welcome the team home.Several local schools had given youngsters the afternoon off classes so they could welcome the team home.
Among them was 11-year-old Maisie and her nine-year-old brother Regan - who were at Cardiff airport.Among them was 11-year-old Maisie and her nine-year-old brother Regan - who were at Cardiff airport.
Maisie said: "I got Aaron Ramsey's autograph. The whole team were amazing."Maisie said: "I got Aaron Ramsey's autograph. The whole team were amazing."
Also greeting the side was 97-year-old Nancy Plain - who received a kiss from Coleman before having her Wales flag signed.Also greeting the side was 97-year-old Nancy Plain - who received a kiss from Coleman before having her Wales flag signed.
"I nearly lost my voice during the tournament because I was cheering on the boys so much," she said."I nearly lost my voice during the tournament because I was cheering on the boys so much," she said.
"They did the whole country proud and I'm glad that I got to see Wales play in a major international tournament.""They did the whole country proud and I'm glad that I got to see Wales play in a major international tournament."
Midfielder Joe Ledley is missing the homecoming celebrations as he is heading to Ibiza to get married.Midfielder Joe Ledley is missing the homecoming celebrations as he is heading to Ibiza to get married.
The parade comes after Wales lost 2-0 to Portugal in the semi-final on Wednesday, with their historic run hailed as a performance which has "changed Welsh football forever". A player and staff presentation will begin at 18:45 followed by a question and answer session.
The celebration comes after Wales lost 2-0 to Portugal in the semi-final on Wednesday, with their historic run hailed as a performance which has "changed Welsh football forever".
FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford said: "The nation really wants to show the boys how impressed they are and how proud they are and I'm sure they will be out in their thousands today."FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford said: "The nation really wants to show the boys how impressed they are and how proud they are and I'm sure they will be out in their thousands today."
He said the stadium event "sold out pretty quickly" but added "one or two tickets" would be released for a lucky few. He said the stadium event "sold out pretty quickly", although extra tickets were released on Friday morning.
A number of roads in Cardiff city centre have been shut until 17:50 for the bus tour. Cardiff council has warned fans there will be a queuing system at Cardiff Central Station and a crowd management system at Grangetown and Ninian Park railway stations from 19:30.
Road closures between 14:30-17:50 include:
Road closures between 16:00-18:00 include:
To see the full list of closures, click here.
There will also be a queuing system at Cardiff Central Station and a crowd management system at Grangetown and Ninian Park railway stations from 19:30.
The council said buses will not operate from the usual stops in the city centre.The council said buses will not operate from the usual stops in the city centre.
A sell-out crowd is expected at Cardiff City Stadium, where a player and staff presentation and question and answer session will begin at 18:45.
BBC Wales is following the homecoming celebrations on television, radio and online in English and in Welsh.BBC Wales is following the homecoming celebrations on television, radio and online in English and in Welsh.
Rhodri Talfan Davies, director of BBC Wales, said: "The Wales football team has inspired a nation during this tournament, which has seen record numbers of viewers in Wales watch, share and be part of their historic achievements."Rhodri Talfan Davies, director of BBC Wales, said: "The Wales football team has inspired a nation during this tournament, which has seen record numbers of viewers in Wales watch, share and be part of their historic achievements."