Wales to hold open-top bus parade in Cardiff after Euro 2016 semi-final exit

Wales manager Chris Coleman and his players are expected to touch down in Cardiff to a heroes' welcome on Friday as the city have organised an open-top bus parade following the team's Euro 2016 exit.

The Dragons reached the semi-finals of the Championships in their first major tournament since 1958.

The team could not go one step further, though, as they were beaten 2-0 by Portugal in Lyon on Wednesday night.

Despite coming home empty handed, the players and staff will express their gratitude to the supporters as they travel through Cardiff on an open-top bus from 4pm tomorrow.

A homecoming party will be held after the parade from 6.30pm at the Cardiff City Stadium, and it will include performances from the Manic Street Preachers, who will sing their 'Together, Stronger (C'mon Wales)' anthem.

"We feel this event is a great way of everyone celebrating what has been a historic period for Welsh football," Wales Online quotes FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford as saying.

"The scenes we have seen at home and over in France have been fantastic and we hope that our passionate supporters can enjoy another moment with the players to end a memorable fee weeks."

Around 33,000 tickets are expected to be made available for the early evening bash.