Sadly for the Bairns, that particular foray ended in ignominy at the first hurdle with that defeat by Vaduz of Liechtenstein.

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That evening, Prince Hans-Adam II and his wife, Princess Marie von und zu Liechtenstein, invited the Secretary-General and Madam Ban to dinner at their residence, Vaduz Castle.

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They saw Wales - already certain of a fourth-placed finish in the group - start brightly at Vaduz's Rheinepark Stadium, Bale electrifying in attack down the left-hand side.

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There was little evidence of even youthful promise as Falkirk's first European venture ended at the first hurdle, although it has to be remembered that Liechtenstein outfit Vaduz had only just been relegated from the Swiss top flight.

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