GARETH Bale says now is Wales’ time to shine as the players prepare for the biggest game in Welsh football history.

Bale and teammates take on Belgium in Lille on Friday night with a place in the semi-finals of Euro 2016 at stake.

And the Real Madrid star is in no mood to play down the significance of the match.

He’s well aware that the hopes of a nation rest largely on his broad shoulders but he’s relishing the challenge in front of him.

“We know about the [World Cup] quarter-final in 1958 but since then it’s definitely the biggest game in Welsh football,” said Bale.

“But it’s one we’re looking forward to, eager to get started and excited about.

“We just want to enjoy the occasion, take it all in, and hopefully we can get into the semis.

“It’s our time to shine,” he added. “We’re the only home nation left in the competition, which is an amazing achievement in itself.

“The Northern Ireland game was a very ugly one that was not suited to us but to win a game like that shows the team spirit and character we've got. We’re very happy and proud to fly the flag of Wales.

“The dragon on my shirt is all the motivation I need.”

With Newport’s Chris Gunter potentially missing his brother’s wedding due to Wales’ success in France and Neil Taylor’s Beyoncé tickets going to waste, Bale said he has no such problems with staying in France for as long as possible.

“I planned everything for after the final,” he said. “I was the clever one in the group.”

Asked how the squad stay fresh after spending more than a month together, he added: “With our team spirit, it’s like being with your mates all the time.

“It's like being on holiday, we're doing quizzes all the time, playing table tennis, watching games, we have a round of golf.

“We’re just enjoying the whole experience and the fact we enjoy each other’s company does help in the downtime where perhaps other teams are bored.

“It's very demanding a long tournament but we're enjoying every moment and we're happy to be here.”

Belgium are ranked second in the world and are expected to beat Wales but Bale believes a repeat of the 1-0 victory in Cardiff last June, when he scored the winner, is possible.

“They are a very good team, we understand that, their goal is to win the Euros,” he said.

“They see every team they play as a stepping stone to the final. That’s not disrespectful, that’s their opinion.

“We're happy about that. But it’s about us, we’re concentrating on ourselves and trying to execute our game plan.

“We’ve beaten them before so it can be done again.”

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