Post by Salem6 on Oct 13, 2003 10:36:30 GMT
Scotland and Wales both major hurdles in the Euro 2004 play-offs if they are to reach next summer's showpiece in Portugal.
Berti Vogts' side will face Holland and Wales play Russia.
Latvia v Turkey
Scotland v Holland
Croatia v Slovenia
Russia v Wales
Spain v Norway
The ties, to be played on November 15-16 and 18-19, will decide who joins hosts Portugal, champions France, Sweden, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, England, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark and Greece in the finals.
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After finishing second to Greece in Group Six, Spain's coach Inaki Saez remained upbeat about his country's chances of qualifying for the finals.
THE QUALIFIERS SO FAR
Portugal (hosts)
France (Group 1 winners)
Denmark (Group 2 winners)
Czech Republic (Group 3 winners)
Sweden (Group 4 winners)
Germany (Group 5 winners)
Greece (Group 6 winners)
England (Group 7 winners)
Bulgaria (Group 8 winners)
Italy (Group 9 winners)
Switzerland (Group 10 winners)
"We are not worried about the play-offs," Saez said. "You have to remember that Germany ended up coming second in the World Cup after qualifying via the play-offs.
"We, too, could end up being strengthened by the experience."
Spain's captain and leading scorer Raul, who notched up his 35th goal in 66 matches for the national team during the 4-0 away win over Armenia was also optimistic.
"Spain are capable of beating anyone," he said. "And this win will give us a big boost ahead of the play-offs.
"If we keep playing at this level then I am certain we will be in Portugal."
Former European champions Holland will not be relishing the play-offs and the possibility of missing out on another major tournament, having failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.
As so many times before the Dutch camp has been suffering from in-fighting.
Manchester United's Ruud van Nistelrooy was banned for a game after clashing with coach Dick Advocaat after he was substituted in last month's 3-1 loss to the Czech Republic.
Clarence Seedorf of AC Milan also missed Saturday's 5-0 win over Moldova are after he complained about being made to play on the wing.
Fernando Ricksen was banned for kicking in his hotel door while drunk, while Advocaat's relations with Frank de Boer remain tense.
Berti Vogts' side will face Holland and Wales play Russia.
Latvia v Turkey
Scotland v Holland
Croatia v Slovenia
Russia v Wales
Spain v Norway
The ties, to be played on November 15-16 and 18-19, will decide who joins hosts Portugal, champions France, Sweden, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, England, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark and Greece in the finals.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After finishing second to Greece in Group Six, Spain's coach Inaki Saez remained upbeat about his country's chances of qualifying for the finals.
THE QUALIFIERS SO FAR
Portugal (hosts)
France (Group 1 winners)
Denmark (Group 2 winners)
Czech Republic (Group 3 winners)
Sweden (Group 4 winners)
Germany (Group 5 winners)
Greece (Group 6 winners)
England (Group 7 winners)
Bulgaria (Group 8 winners)
Italy (Group 9 winners)
Switzerland (Group 10 winners)
"We are not worried about the play-offs," Saez said. "You have to remember that Germany ended up coming second in the World Cup after qualifying via the play-offs.
"We, too, could end up being strengthened by the experience."
Spain's captain and leading scorer Raul, who notched up his 35th goal in 66 matches for the national team during the 4-0 away win over Armenia was also optimistic.
"Spain are capable of beating anyone," he said. "And this win will give us a big boost ahead of the play-offs.
"If we keep playing at this level then I am certain we will be in Portugal."
Former European champions Holland will not be relishing the play-offs and the possibility of missing out on another major tournament, having failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.
As so many times before the Dutch camp has been suffering from in-fighting.
Manchester United's Ruud van Nistelrooy was banned for a game after clashing with coach Dick Advocaat after he was substituted in last month's 3-1 loss to the Czech Republic.
Clarence Seedorf of AC Milan also missed Saturday's 5-0 win over Moldova are after he complained about being made to play on the wing.
Fernando Ricksen was banned for kicking in his hotel door while drunk, while Advocaat's relations with Frank de Boer remain tense.