Swansea, a sprawling Welsh seaside settlement dating back to William the Conqueror, is a city of contrasts stemming from its role in the world's first industrial nation.

Copper smelting succeeded ship building as the city's primary industry, and the disparity between a bleak industrial center and the attractions of Swansea Bay led poet Dylan Thomas to describe his birthplace as an "ugly, lovely town".

Modern Swansea contains a fresh contradiction. In a small nation whose sporting identity has been forged on the rugby field, a vibrant soccer club teetering on the brink of oblivion 10 years ago is riding high in the English Premier League and will play in Europe next season.