Wales to begin Euros' qualifying campaign in Wrexham

New manager Rhian Wilkinson is at the helm for the first time as Wales begin their Women’s European Championship campaign with tonight’s home match against Croatia at Wrexham’s STōK Cae Ras (7.15pm kick off).

And veteran Jess Fishlock says Wales are determined to reach a first major finals.

Thirty seven year-old Fishlock will reach 150 caps if she features tonight and against Kosovo on Tuesday.

Wales are with Croatia, Kosovo and Ukraine in group four of League B as they bid to qualify for the next European Championships, which are due to take place in Switzerland.

“Having reached the play-off final for a place at the last World Cup we know we have the ability and desire to qualify,” Fishlock told BBC Sport Wales.

“We have had that feeling for the past few campaigns. I think ultimately our near misses for qualifying have helped us to grow as a squad, It drives you on because it hurt so much. It was such a hard thing to push through as a group.

“I guess when you have that feeling of utter devastation, you don’t really want to feel that again.

“This campaign now, you take that feeling from Switzerland and use it as extra motivation as you don’t want to feel it again.”

The Seattle Reign player admits her time as a Wales player may be coming to an end.

“I am 37 now and probably this is going to be my last campaign,” she added.

“After the Switzerland game, I really thought about quitting, it was very hard. I tried to be strong for the squad when we were together.

“I went home and when I was with my family, my emotions took over and I broke down in tears to my mum.

“I told her ‘I can’t do it any more, I cannot go through this again’. My mum said ‘that’s OK’.

“In that moment I expected her to encourage me to carry on, but she gave me exactly what I needed.

“I went to bed, I woke up and when I woke up I was ready to go again. 'One more campaign', that’s what I said when I woke up.”