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We are super excited now. We have had moments in the past week of thinking “we are in Switzerland and the tournament is right around the corner now”.

I think when we qualified in December, six months felt like a long way away, but the time has gone in a flash. Now we are really feeling excited and we are raring to go for that first game in Lucerne against the Netherlands.

The Nations League A was a perfect preparation from our point of view for this tournament, we played some top-quality teams and being in League A means every minute is competitive.

We’ve reflected on what went well, what we can improve on and have taken really valuable lessons going into this European Championship.

Things didn’t click for us in our last game, against Italy, but I think you learn a lot from the days when things don’t go well for you.

Every team has days when they aren’t at their best. I think if we didn’t have that game we might not be as strong and focused a unit as we are now.

No-one wants to have a result like that, but I think we’ve utilised it in the most positive way that we can.

We feel like we built some really strong foundations as a group of players in the past months since our qualification in Dublin. Our manager Rhian Wilkinson has been drip-feeding information on every single camp and a lot of us have had a lot of minutes under her as well.

I do feel that bodes particularly well for us as a squad coming up to the Euros, you see lots of players getting on the pitch and that is really important for us in terms of our development as a nation.

Saturday is going to mean so much to us.

We will feel immense pride first and foremost to be the first Welsh team in a major tournament. We will feel that not just for us but for those who came before and paved the way for us.

Our manager Rhian Wilkinson is one of the key reasons why we are where we are.

I have found Rhian absolutely fantastic to work with, I sit in some of her meetings and she delivers the messages and I think “wow, that is such an impassioned and empowered speech”.

I always think that she leaves me with little snippets I can take away.

That’s what you want as a player, a coach that inspires you, who motivates you and who pushes you on and also makes you feel valued as a member of the group.

I’ve worked under a lot of different managers and I know it is not an easy job to do, particularly when you’re coming in just before the start of a qualifying campaign and you need to hit the ground running.

The thing that I believe makes this group special is the bond we have with each other. I know everyone says it, but it is a family.

Because of that, a lot of our thoughts are with the players who couldn’t be here because of injury, namely our goalkeeper Laura O’Sullivan and defender Mayzee Davies, who are both missing out on the tournament after undergoing knee surgery.

We are missing them and it is very unfortunate they couldn’t make it.

On the flip side to that, what a boost for us to have Sophie Ingle back in the squad with us because she’s a great person to have around.

On the pitch she brings her leadership qualities. The other day in the heat she was the one pushing for our training session to carry on, because she is the ultimate professional.

We are super excited to have her in the group. It’s so important for us.

I know we are all very excited to see the Red Wall on Saturday and we will have family coming out to watch us.

Switzerland has been very welcoming to us and certainly we have enjoyed our time here so far. Obviously there is not a lot we can do about the weather, but ‘hot’ is definitely a word we have been using a lot.

It was great on Tuesday for us to get to see some of the amazing scenery in the country when we took a cable car up the Hoher Kasten mountain in the Swiss Alps.

It was a really nice moment to reflect and see some of the country, stay present and reflect on being in the tournament.

World number 33 Yulia Putintseva has shed some light on the security concerns she raised during her first-round defeat at Wimbledon, saying a male spectator was “screaming” between her serves and that it was “political”.

The 30-year-old said “people nowadays are acting too crazy about many things” and she had wanted the umpire to “take him out” of the crowd.

Early on in Monday’s match against Amanda Anisimova, Putintseva described the fan as “crazy” and “dangerous” and later warned the umpire that “maybe he has a knife”.

Asked about the incident following her doubles defeat on Wednesday, the Russian-born Kazakhstani told BBC Sport: “I said it because the guy was saying something crazy. I feel like those people might be crazy, maybe not. Maybe it’s just my point of view. But I was just saying ‘just take him out’. “

She confirmed she did not know the man.

Pressed on what she had heard him saying, she said: “He was actually talking about, like, political stuff. And I’m really outside of the political so I don’t want anyone on my match, when they are coming to see tennis, saying anything political. “

The chair umpire spoke to members of security after Putintseva voiced her concerns, and a spokesperson for the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) said the matter had been “dealt with”.

The club’s operations manager said security protocols were followed.

The BBC understands the spectator in question left the stands on court 15 of his own accord.

Asked if she thought it had been handled appropriately, Putintseva said: “I just think that people nowadays are acting too crazy about many things, and yeah, I think the security just have to be prepared.

Gary Woodland will be part of his first Ryder Cup in September – two years after undergoing brain surgery.

It will be in a non-playing role, with United States captain Keegan Bradley naming the 41-year-old as his fifth and final vice-captain for the 45th Ryder Cup, which will take place at the Bethpage Black course in New York from 25-28 September.

Woodland, who won the 2019 US Open, joins Jim Furyk, Kevin Kisner, Webb Simpson and Brandt Snedeker as vice-captains on a US team aiming to regain the trophy after Europe claimed a 16½-11½ victory in Rome in 2023.

“Keegan’s passion for this event is contagious and I am thrilled to be a part of it,” Woodland said.

“With just over two months to go until we arrive at Bethpage, I am fully committed to doing everything I can to help Keegan as well as our team of vice-captains and players.”

Four-time PGA Tour winner Woodland represented his country in the 2019 Presidents Cup and recently received the PGA Tour Courage Award in recognition of his return to the sport after having surgery to remove a brain tumour in 2023.

His appointment could also take on greater importance given 39-year-old Bradley, who won the Travellers Championship last month and is ranked seventh in the world, is on course to become the first playing captain in a Ryder Cup since Arnold Palmer in 1963.

“I have an incredible amount of respect and admiration for Gary and all he has accomplished in this game,” said Bradley.

“As a major champion and someone who is still competing at a high level, he is well aware of the demands of performing on golf’s biggest stages.

University student Ollie Tarvet was unable to create one of the biggest shocks in Wimbledon history as the Briton’s dream run came to an end against two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.

The 21-year-old qualifier put up an entertaining fight – showing signs of his vast potential – but ultimately lost 6-1 6-4 6-4 on Centre Court.

Ranked 733rd in the world, Tarvet created 11 break points against the five-time Grand Slam champion.

But the Englishman – who studies in the United States – could only take two of those opportunities and never looked like seriously causing an upset.

“I want to give credit to Oliver – I love his game,” said second seed Alcaraz, who secured a 20th match win in a row.

“The level he played in his first match on Centre Court, which I know is difficult, was great.

“I knew I had to be really focused from the beginning. I’m happy with my performance.”

Tarvet’s run of four victories – three in qualifying and another in the first round proper – means he should be taking home prize money of £99,000.

However, he is only allowed to claim $10,000 (£7,290) in profit every year under American college rules, as well as any expenses incurred during the events.

Brighton have signed French defender Olivier Boscagli following his departure from PSV Eindhoven.

The 27-year-old, who can play as left-back or centre-back, has signed a five-year contract with the south-coast club.

“We’re delighted to welcome Olivier to Brighton. He has got a lot of experience with PSV and we like his versatility,” said head coach Fabian Hurzeler.

“He can play in several positions and we feel it is important to have these players in our squad. We are looking forward to working with him.

The former France Under-21 international made 204 appearances for PSV after joining from Nice in 2019.

Boscagli joins forward Charalampos Kostoulas, wingers Tommy Watson and Yoon Doyoung and defender Diego Coppola in the summer arrivals at Brighton, who finished eighth in the Premier League last season.

Aitana Bonmati is “so eager” to play in Spain’s opening Euro 2025 match against Portugal despite being treated for viral meningitis just days ago, says head coach Montse Tome.

However, Bonmati remains a doubt for Thursday’s game after Tome warned against rushing the two-time Ballon d’Or winner back to action too soon.

“We have to slow her down”, said Tome, who guided Spain to the inaugural Women’s Nations League title in 2024.

“She’s so eager – we have to hold her back a bit. Her health is the first and most important thing”.

Midfielder Bonmati, 27, was only discharged from hospital on Sunday but trained with the world champions on Wednesday before the game in Bern, Switzerland.

Tome said: “According to the medical staff, her progress is positive.

” Health comes first, and she’s been able to complete all the tasks required. “

Two days after being discharged from hospital, Bonmati was pictured on an exercise bike after joining up with the rest of the Spain squad in Lausanne.

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord and can be serious if not treated quickly.

Bonmati is one of the biggest stars of the women’s game.

She has scored 30 goals in 78 appearances for Spain and was named player of the tournament at the 2023 World Cup.

A product of Barcelona’s youth set-up, Bonmati has won six domestic league titles and has been involved in three Champions League triumphs.

” She’s euphoric, happy, and of course we’ll see her tomorrow and give her a big hug, “midfielder Patricia Guijarro said on Wednesday about Bonmati’s return.

” Above all, she’s happy to be here. “

If Bonmati does not feature against Portugal (20: 00 BST kick-off), she could play in Spain’s second Group B game which is against Belgium.

That takes place in Thun on Monday, 7 July (17: 00 BST kick-off).