'We are ready for the group of death' say Wales and 'we will prove people wrong'

Wayne Hennessey expects Wales to "prove people wrong" at Euro 2016 next summer.

Wales will head to France as tournament rookies having not competed at a major finals since the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.

Despite being currently ranked eighth in the world and having lost only one of their last 12 competitive matches, Wales will be placed in the bottom pot of seeds because of their low UEFA coefficient rating.

More: Why Wales and Northern Ireland are among bottom seeds for Euro 2016

Credit: PA

Manager Chris Coleman says he is ready for Wales being pitched into a 'group of death' in December's draw, but goalkeeper Hennessey feels they are capable of upsetting more established nations in France.

"Hopefully we can surprise a few people," Hennessey said after Wales had rounded off their historic campaign with a 2-0 victory over Andorra in Cardiff.

Credit: PA

Only England, Spain and Romania conceded fewer goals in Euro qualifying than Wales, with Hennessey beaten only four times in the entire campaign.

Credit: PA

Euro 2016 Facts & Figures:

  • Coach: Chris Coleman

  • Star player: Gareth Bale

  • Chances: Bale might be able to make the difference against a number of teams, but without him Wales would not be half the side and they may not get out of their group.

  • Tournament best: n/a

  • Qualifying record: W6 D3 L1

  • Qualifying stat: Bale had more shots off target (21) than any other player in the qualifying groups and, in terms of overall attempts (24), was second only to Lewandowski (25).

The venues for Euro 2016 in France. Credit: uefa.com

EURO 2016

  • For the first time, 24 sides will contest the UEFA European Championship when it takes place between 10th June and 10th July 2016.

  • The 24 sides will contest 51 games over 32 days at ten venues – in Bordeaux, Lens, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Paris, Saint-Denis, Saint-Etienne and Toulouse.

  • The teams will be drawn into groups of four, with the six group winners, six group runners-up and the four best third-placed teams advancing to the round of 16 when it becomes a knockout competition

QUALIFIED:

France (hosts), Iceland, Czech Republic, Turkey, Belgium, Wales, Spain, Slovakia, Germany, Poland, England, Switzerland, Northern Ireland, Romania, Austria, Russia, Italy, Croatia, Portugal, Albania (plus four from the play-offs in November)