Gareth Bale: 'Wales are more passionate than England, who big themselves up'

By Lyall Thomas

Image: Gareth Bale says Welsh passion cannot be matched

Wales star Gareth Bale has taunted England by insisting his country have more passion and do not "big themselves up before they've done anything".

Wales will end their 58-year wait to play at a major tournament when they face Slovakia in their Group B opener in Bordeaux on Saturday before clashing with England in Lens on June 16.

Bale said he chuckled when the two countries were drawn together and cannot wait to face their "enemy",.

The Real Madrid forward said: "For me, it's probably the stand-out game in the group stages, but there is no pressure on us because they believe they can beat us.

"I had a chuckle when England came out, I'm not going to lie. It's an amazing game to be involved in and it's like any derby, you never want to lose to the enemy.

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"They big themselves up before they've done anything, so we're going to go there and believe we can beat them.

Rob Dorsett shows you around the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens, where England will play Wales in their second group game at Euro 2016

"I think we've got a lot more passion and pride about us than them. We'll definitely show that on the day. I don't know what it is but, if you're Welsh, we feel more pride and passion than anyone else.

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"Look at the national anthem, everyone sings, the whole stadium. I remember the Belgium game. We were all tired and the whole stadium just started singing it. I don't think any other nation would do that. Being Welsh just brings it out of you.

"It's like when I was young and being in a pub with my parents, everyone watching rugby or football on the television. Everyone was together, singing. It's the way we are brought up."

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