IS this the end for Wales at Euro 2016? The beginning of the end? Or merely the end of the beginning?

No matter what happens against Belgium in Lille tonight Chris Coleman’s men have won the battle for hearts and minds both here in France and back home in Wales in the front rooms, pubs and fan zones.

Even Newport has belatedly got in on the act and the masses packed into Rodney Parade tonight, just like those lucky thousands inside the Stade Pierre-Mauroy are guaranteed to witness a night of pure sporting drama.

Whether it’s Welsh football’s biggest moment since 1976 or 1958 depends on your point of view but there’s no doubt that the excitement is palpable, even amongst the key participants.

Coleman will be focused on guiding his nation to the semi-finals tonight but even he has been caught up in the tournament buzz.

“I always call my wife and my mother and call my children after the games,” said the Wales boss. “It has been the same here, the games are so big and there is so much excitement.

“I have been to tournaments where I have been working for the media like in South Africa.

“But it is only now I am involved with the team that you understand why it is unbelievable, the excitement that surrounds the games.

“You are driving in from the hotel, not so much in Paris because it got lost a bit but when we were in Bordeaux and Toulouse and smaller towns and it is just a sea of red.

“It is an unbelievable feeling and is uplifting. We probably won't really understand how lucky we are until it is all done.

“When we look back we will go ‘wow’ and I think we have had an input in the tournament,” he added.

“On and off the pitch, I genuinely think we have done our bit to make it a good tournament and so have the Welsh people who have come here. We should be proud of that.”

Nobody could argue with those words and Coleman and the team will rightly receive a rapturous reception on their return home even if a multi-talented Belgian side plays to its potential and ends Wales’ tournament tonight.

In Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and countless others, Belgium have the talent to blow Wales away if they click into gear.

But Marc Wilmots’ team of star individuals have rarely done that on the biggest stage when the pressure is on.

And, make no mistake, the pressure is all on Belgium for this match.

Rightly or wrongly they were the highest ranked team coming into the tournament and if they don’t beat Wales it will no doubt be the end for Wilmots.

Coleman’s men have already climbed Everest to get this far and they simply have nothing to lose in Lille.

And, when you add in the recent record between the two sides, it promises to be a much more even contest than many experts may expect.

It goes without saying that Wales will have to be at their absolute best to match their opponents.

But they have match-winners of their own in Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen.

And, with the onus on the favourites to attack, they should have the space to get at a suspect Belgian back line that will be will be without the suspended Thomas Vermaelen and the injured Jan Vertonghen.

Much of the pre-match build-up has surrounded the fitness of the two captains – Wales’ Ashley Williams and Hazard for Belgium.

But both are expected to be fit to play and their personal duel could well prove crucial.

It may be wishful thinking but I’m backing the Liberty lion to take care of the Chelsea cheetah and keep Wales’ improbable Euro dream alive, possibly with the aid of extra-time and penalties.

Wales probable (3-4-2-1): Hennessey; Chester, Williams, Davies; Gunter, Allen, Ledley, Taylor; Ramsey, Bale; Robson-Kanu.

Belgium probable (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Meunier, Alderweireld, Denayer, J Lukaku; Nainggolan, Witsel; Mertens, Hazard, De Bruyne; R Lukaku.

Referee: Damir Skomina (Slovenia)

South Wales Argus: