There were mixed emotions for Albion’s players at Euro 2016 this weekend. Baggies defender James Chester played 90 minutes for Wales as they beat Slovakia 2-1 in Bordeaux.
Chester, who wore the No.5 shirt, played in his favoured central defensive position alongside capital Ashley Williams and Ben Davies.
Fellow Albion defenders Gareth McAuley and Jonny Evans both had solid games for Northern Ireland and kept hotshot Robert Lewandowski quiet for large periods of the game.
But the duo were unable to prevent Northern Ireland tasting defeat in their first appearance at a major tournament since 1986.
Arkadiusz Milik strike in the 51st minute was enough to end Northern Ireland’s hopes of an opening day victory.
McAuley and Evans both played the full 90 minutes against the Poles and Evans racked up the joint-fastest speed of any player. The former Manchester United man was clocked running at 31km/h – the same speed as England’s Raheem Sterling.
James McClean, the fourth Baggies man at Euro 2014, will kick of his tournament tonight when the Republic of Ireland take on Sweden at the Stade de France.
What did you make of the performances of Chester, Evans and McAuley? Have your say on the new messageboard at Baggies Banter.