Swindon Town legend Paul Bodin is hoping his Welsh countrymen can qualify for next summer's European Championships tomorrow night - and help consign one of his worst footballing memories to the distant past.

Wales will book their tickets to Portugal 2004 - their first major championships for 45 years - by beating Russia in the second leg of their play-off at Cardiff's 75,000 sell-out Millennium Stadium.

And nobody will be cheering louder than County Ground hero Bodin if Mark Hughes' men complete their task, after earning a 0-0 draw in Moscow in Saturday's first leg.

It would help draw a line under the 39-year-old's personal decade of hurt, stemming from Wales' infamous World Cup qualifier against Romania - the 10th anniverary of which was yesterday.

Bodin won 23 caps for his country - but unfortunately most of the Principality's supporters remember him for just one moment in that crucial game - his 20th cap.

Needing a win to secure their place at USA '94, Wales were locked at 1-1 with the talented eastern Europeans when they were awarded a penalty just after the hour mark.

Up stepped spot-kick specialist Bodin - pictured right taking the crucial penalty - to all but book their plane tickets to the States, only for the left-back's well-struck effort to balloon off the crossbar to safety.

Minutes later, the Swindon man was subbed - and the Romanians rubbed salt into the wounds by scoring late on to destroy Wales' dreams.

It's a moment Bodin has been asked about a million times - no more so than this week when he was pursued by the media, eager for his 1993 memories as Wales find themselves in a similar position.

"It's 10 years ago, but it doesn't seem that long,'' Bodin said.

"It was one of the biggest nights of mine and a lot of other players' careers - and obviously I won't forget it.''

He remembered: "The Romanians had great players like Hagi, Popescu and Radicioiu and had already qualified.

"But we also had greats like Rush, Hughes and Southall and were confident.

"Dean Saunders equalised after we were 1-0 down, then we won the penalty.

"It was an opportunity for me to put us in front. I remember a long delay, because Romania were not very happy at the decision.

"Then their goalie, Prunea, kissed the ball before I picked it up and wiped it. I had scored my three previous penalties for Wales before that - but you can't turn back the clock.''

Ironically, three days later Bodin was to score a penalty for Town in a 2-2 home Premiership draw against Ipswich - one of five league successes from the spot that season.

He revealed: "I didn't sleep too well after that Romania game, but when I went into training at Swindon the next day, John Gorman told me I was still No 1 penalty taker and in the next game, I scored one.

"Swindon fans probably remmeber me more fondly for penalties especially the one I scored in the 1993 play-off final at Wembley whereas the Welsh fans remember that miss. But it's one of those things.''

Now he is hoping a Wales side still featuring his former international teammates such as Gary Speed, John Hartson and Andy Melville and led by Hughes, can finally end their major championship jinx.

"They are in a very good position,'' added Bodin.

"I think they will do it. It's a really difficult one to call, but if they hadn't got the draw on Saturday, I don't think they could recover it."