Magnificent Seven
As improbables go, Wales U-21s winning 5-1 against Estonia U-21s was as expected as Ryan Giggs playing two away friendlies in a row. Okay, so that might be pushing the improbability envelope somewhat but it was surprising nevertheless.
In putting five past the Estonian keeper the team had recorded their biggest win for 11 years and snared an impressive 7-1 aggregate scoreline to boot.
Still, the signs that this was a team on an unpward trajectory were there for all to see. A hugely encouraging 2-0 away victory in Tallinn against a physical Estonian side ten days previously, set the team up for the second leg at The Racecourse, Wrexham on Wednesday evening.
There was a time when the Welsh youngsters couldn't win a toss, let alone put together two back-to-back victories by the handsomest of margins. But who would have thought the U-21s would string together such a promising run of results. Remember this is the same side that struggled to win a game against the minnows of world football not too long ago.
Winning the two-legged play-off to see who would make it through to the group qualifying stages of the U-21 European Championships is so important for the future of Welsh football. It means competitive matches for the youngsters for the next season and beyond.
Wales will line-up against Israel and Turkey in home and away qualifying games beginning later this year. They will face a sterner test than the Estonians, but with an impressive array of players such as Gareth Bale, Arron Davies, Andrew Crofts and David Cotterill you wouldn't bank against them continuing their winning run.
It's no coincidence that since John Toshack has taken over results have improved markedly. With the help of U-21 coach Brian Flynn, he's actively invested in the young players.
You can't fail to be impressed with the way he's given them a chance and offered the young lads the incentive of a senior call-up if they knuckle down and work hard. Something that Mark Hughes never did. What was it? One U-21 game that Mark Hughes ever attended?
A number of youngsters will be given their chance in Saturday's away friendly against Trinidad & Tobago, including Craig Davies who scored a hat-trick against the Estonians on Wednesday evening.
Toshack and Flynn may not have expected such a quick return on their investment, but this policy of promoting youth already appears to be paying dividends.
As far as investment in the future goes, it's a giant step forward.