UEFA EURO reporter's view: Wales

Squad analysis
With a small selection pool, there were only ever going to be a handful of difficult decisions for Chris Coleman to make. Injuries to young strikers Tom Lawrence and Tom Bradshaw, as well as defender Adam Henley, during the recent training camp in Portugal meant the majority of big calls for Coleman would be in midfield – with Emyr Huws unlucky to miss the final cut. Central midfielder Joe Ledley travels despite having yet to fully recover from a fractured fibula.

• Ledley joins Bale in 23-man Wales selection

One to watch
Do you really need to ask? Coming into UEFA EURO 2016 fresh from picking up his second UEFA Champions League winners' medal with Real Madrid, Gareth Bale is the Welsh talisman. He scored seven of the team's 11 goals in qualifying, his presence, dedication and commitment helping push Wales to the finals. Playing just off the striker, Bale has the ability and vision to carve open the meanest of defences.

How they'll play
Wales kept seven clean sheets in their ten qualifiers. Marshalled by captain Ashley Williams, the Dragons will likely play with three central defenders and two defensive wide men to provide cover and support. Creative talents Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey will supply Bale, while a target man – Hal Robson-Kanu or Sam Vokes – will strive to disrupt opposition defences and make space for the Real Madrid ace to attack.

What you won't know
Winger David Cotterill's full name is David Rhys George Best Cotterill. "My dad's a huge Manchester United fan," he revealed in 2006. We would never have guessed.

How they'll do
In their first major finals since the 1958 FIFA World Cup, Wales are heading into the unknown. Two clean sheets and four points against Belgium during qualification suggested they can cope with the best, and Coleman has shown a knack for devising tactical plans to neutralise opponents' strengths. However, with limited alternatives, it is crucial the first-choice players remain fully fit.

Your most memorable EURO moment
Watching EURO '88. People remember Marco van Basten's goal in the final, but there was something special about Rinus Michels's Dutch side, with characters like Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, Jan Wouters and Ronald Koeman. To an impressionable ten-year-old fan, the colour and atmosphere in the stadiums seemed in huge contrast to British football at the time, and it all came across as one huge celebration.

What you're most looking forward to this summer
The Welsh supporters were at their passionate best during qualifying and they have waited a very long time to reach the finals of a major tournament. They will travel to France in their thousands and will make an impact on every town they visit. I can assure you there will not be many, if any, louder fans at UEFA EURO 2016 than the Welsh. Oh, and croissants – definitely looking forward to croissants.

Follow Mark throughout the finals on @UEFAcomMPitman