CHRIS COLEMAN saluted his Welsh heroes and vowed: This is not the end of the journey, it's just the beginning.

The heartbroken Wales boss and his shattered stars was left devastated after Cristiano Ronaldo and Co ruthlessly ended their Euro 2016 glory dream.

But, rather than wollow in self-pity on what might have been, upbeat Coleman insists this golden generation will be stronger for the 2018 World Cup campaign.

Coleman said: "This was another test, another challenge. We didn't come through it but we've come through plenty of other big tests. It's been a great experience.

"If you lose and you've given your best, that's how it goes. But I've told the players this isn't the end. Some of them will be here a lot longer than I will be here as manager.

"We know what we're good at and we won't change what got us here in the first place. It's such a healthy positive vibe, we absolutely loved every minute. We need some more of that.

"Now we have to go into the next campaign with the same hunger and desire as we've had over the last three years. That's what I've told them.

"There are loads of positives to take back and we have to make sure this is not the end of a journey, our players have got more success in them. I'm sure they'll go back to Cardiff to a nice welcome, and they deserve that."

Asked what this team can achieve beyond 2018, Coleman said: "It's always been that, qualifying regularly. There was a psychological barrier we needed to go through for the first one, given it had been so long. We've now sampled tournament football, such an experience.

"Such a healthy vibe from people of all nations. We want some more of that.

" Now, the one thing that will stop us from doing it again is ourselves. We're good enough. We have to be hungry, we have to have the same hunger and desire, and we'll give the World Cup campaign a hell of a crack."

Coleman was honest in another impressive performance at his post-match press conference as Wales lost in their unlucky black kit for a third time.

The Welsh FA lobbied Uefa and got special permission to wear their famous red shirts in the win against Russia.

Gareth Bale was certainly overshadowed by Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo although Coleman refused to criticise. The suspension of Aaron Ramsey also played a major part as Wales were less than a threat going forward.

They enjoyed one good spell, in the middle of the first half, but Portugal coped well.

Coleman said: "When the first goal went in we just lost out concentration for five minutes. When you're up against this kind of quality, you'll be punished. They capitalised on that. But you win and you lose. We've done plenty of winning. It's our turn tonight to lose, it's not a nice feeling.

"Anyone is going to miss Ramsey, especially the way he's been playing.

"But it's not just about the XI, it's about the squad. You're going to miss players. I was delighted of the input of Andy King, who worked his socks off. Aaron is fantastic at finding space, but we looked a little bit tired.

"Balo (Bale), he's a human-being like the rest. He worked his socks off, ran as hard as he could and tried everything to get us back in the game.

"But I was proud of all of them. Sometimes you don't get what you want in terms of performance and you have to look at the opposition sometimes to explain why we didn't hit all the right notes.

"They played very well. But I'd find it difficult to say to any of my lads that they could have done any more. They left everything out there. We came up short tonight. But, this bunch, they usually don't come up short.

"It would be ludicrous of me to criticise any one of them."

Coleman is now hoping Portugal – who failed to win any of their group games – will now triumph in the final.

He said: "Congratulations to Portugal and I hope they go on and win the final. In a final, anything can happen. Portugal were criticised heavily for the way they'd played, their style, for not winning games in 90 minutes.

"To be in a semi-final you have to have something about you and it's not just Cristiano Ronaldo. They've got a good togetherness, a good plan, and they stick to that plan.

"They can win the final, whether that's France or Germany. Sometimes talent is a huge distraction.

"You have to have a bit of mettle as well to have a team, and I saw a team tonight in Portugal.

"It's not always the best players that win the tournament. It's the best team.

"The best team spirit, togetherness... yes, you must have a bit of talent to get to a final, but Portugal are resilient, hard to play against, and if you've got the man playing as a striker, No7, he's not bad. He'll always make a chance or score a goal.

"They've got a good chance, Portugal."