Gareth Bale confident Wales can win Euro 2016 as they look to cement status as Belgium's bogey team

Wales' midfielder Gareth Bale speaks during a press conference in Dinard on June 29, 2016 during the Euro 2016 football tournament
Gareth Bale faces the press at Wales' training camp on Wednesday Credit: AFP

Wales might stand only 90 minutes from establishing themselves as the greatest team in their football history but, according to talisman Gareth Bale, there will be only one overriding motivation in Lille on Friday night. “The dragon on my shirt; that’s all I need,” he said.

Fifty-eight years have passed since the only other Wales team to reach the quarter-finals of a major international tournament and, for all their status as outsiders against Belgium, Bale was again adamant that winning Euro 2016 is realistic. In another self-confident press conference, he also suggested that Wales were Belgium’s “bogey” team and stressed that, unlike some of his team-mates, he would be keeping his diary clear until after the final on July 10. 

Bale celebrates Wales' victory over Northern Ireland in their last 16 clash
Bale celebrates Wales' victory over Northern Ireland in their last 16 clash

“I planned everything for after the final — I was the clever one in the group,” he said. “We know about the World Cup quarter-final in 1958 but since then it’s the biggest game in Welsh football. It’s our time to shine. We’re the only home nation left in the competition, which is an amazing achievement. We’re like their bogey team, aren’t we? We want to keep going, we want to keep riding this wave. We want to go as far as we can and try to win the tournament. We’ve had good results against them but they are a top team. Hopefully that edge gets into their heads.” 

Those results include a draw and a win during qualifying for Euro 2016, using a tactical system that has stopped the likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku from scoring against them for 206 minutes. “To know we can beat the big teams, it does give you that extra bit of confidence and it does take you to the next level,” said Bale. “From that night, from beating Belgium last year, we have gone up to another level.” 

Wales's midfielder Gareth Bale (2R) celebrates scoring the opening goal as Belgium's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (L) and Belgium's midfielder Radja Nainggolan (2L) react during the Euro 2016 qualifying group B football match between Wales and Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales, on June 12, 2015
Bale scored the winner when Wales beat Belgium in qualifying for Euro 2016 Credit: AFP/Getty Images

Bale also dismissed a suggestion from Belgium coach Marc Wilmots that, with Aaron Ramsey, he made Wales a two-man team. “One player does not make a team; it will be 11 v 11,” he said. “We’ve got fantastic players all the way through, even on the bench to come on. Belgium are not a defensive team, they’re a very attacking team. If there are spaces it will be good for us.” 

There was also a hint that Wales could spring a tactical surprise. Training was unexpectedly closed and, while it appears highly unlikely that Coleman could tweak the 3-4-2-1 system that has served his team so well, Bale was happy to keep Belgium guessing.

Wales manager Chris Coleman could change his side for the game with Belgium
Wales manager Chris Coleman could change his side for the game with Belgium Credit: PA

“We’ve had things to work on – one or two things – and we have our reasons for staying behind closed doors,” he said. “Belgium are going to try and think how we’re going to play so they can set up. We’re used to teams trying to predict the way we’re going to play, but we have our own game-plan and identity.

“We understand that their goal is to win the Euros. 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, concentrating on ourselves and ­trying to execute our game plan. We’ve beaten them before so it can be done again.” 

Bale has also been made aware of concern around the Belgium camp that two players, Thomas Meunier and Michy Batshuayi, have been in the process this week of completing respective transfers to Paris St-Germain and Chelsea.

Meunier is understand to have held talks in Paris on a day off and a Chelsea doctor is believed to have visited Batshuayi at the Belgium training base near Bordeaux for a medical. “If it takes their minds off the ball, it’s good for us,” said Bale. He also hopes that the absence of Thomas Vermaelen, who is suspended, “may cause doubt” in the minds of the Belgium players.

After the demise of England, Bale was asked about the secrets to Wales’s success. He underlined the team’s spirit and the sense of fun within the camp. “It’s like being on holiday with your mates all the time,” he said. “We’re doing quizzes, playing table tennis, watching games, have a round of golf. 

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

Joe Ledley of Wales dances in front of fans. Russia v Wales - UEFA European Championship 2016 - Group B - 20 Jun 2016
The dance moves of Joe Ledley (right) have become a feature of Wales' victories Credit: REX/Shuttercock

There have been several unintended glimpses inside the sometimes raucous Wales camp over ­recent days. Joe Ledley’s extrovert dancing was one example but also the celebratory video of England’s exit after their shock 2-1 defeat against Iceland. “It was a laugh and a joke,” said Bale. “It doesn’t really matter. We’ve jumped around more than just for that game.”

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