PROUD Robbie Savage hopes Wales win when he's singing tonight - and spark the biggest party in Welsh footballing history.

For the tireless midfield terrier has finally learnt the words to the Welsh national anthem Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau for this evening's winner-takes-all Euro 2004 play-off second-leg with the Russians in Cardiff.

"I take no pride in saying that I didn't know the words before this week," admitted the Birmingham City battler.

"I know my parents were always embarrassed when they saw me standing there before games with my mouth and eyes shut.

"But John Hartson has been coaching me ever since the squad came together last week and I'll be singing my heart out tonight for the first time in 33 internationals."

Savage and his Welsh colleagues can end Wales' 46-year major championship wait - their last was in the 1958 World Cup - tonight at the Millennium Stadium and success will ensure a prestigious berth in next summer's lucrative European Championships in Portugal.

And the 29-year-old does not need any more motivation as he is desperate to play at the highest possible level.

"It might just come down to who wants it more," he said.

"We showed our passion and commitment as we got a 0-0 draw in the first-leg in Russia and we'll need to see those qualities come to the fore again this evening.

"It could be the best night of my life or it could be the worst.

"I hope the fans don't expect us to go hell for leather from the off because it's going to be difficult and we can expect them to be dangerous on the break. They have some great players who will need to be contained and if they underestimated us in the first game, they'll certainly know that we are more than just Ryan Giggs now!

"Saturday's stalemate in Moscow was a fabulous result but we've got it all to do - and more - again this evening."

And he pleaded to the Welsh fans: "The crowd in the Millennium Stadium can play their part.

"The Russian supporters were pretty passionate on Saturday and at times we couldn't hear ourselves think because of the noise.

"Towards the end, though, it was the Welsh voices in the crowd that were the loudest and those that travelled to Moscow did themselves proud."