Scotland and Wales both face major hurdles in the Euro 2004 play-offs if they are to reach next summer's showpiece in Portugal. Berti Vogts' Scotland side - who reached the play-offs with a 1-0 win against Lithuania at Hampden Park on Saturday - will meet Holland.
And Wales also face a potentially hazardous meeting with Russia after their qualifying campaign ended in a disappointing defeat against Serbia and Montenegro in Cardiff.
Spain were paired with Norway while Turkey, sent into the play-offs by England, play Latvia and Croatia meet Slovenia.
The five play-off winners will join the ten teams who topped the qualifying groups and hosts Portugal to make up the 16 teams who will contest the finals.
 | THE EURO 2004 PICTURE PLAY-OFFS
Latvia v Turkey Scotland v Holland Croatia v Slovenia Russia v Wales Spain v Norway To be played 15/16 & 18/19 Nov ALREADY QUALIFIED Portugal (hosts) France (Group 1 winners) Denmark (Group 2 winners) Czech Rep (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) |
Both the British nations had been desperate to avoid the big guns from Holland and Spain. Holland coach, former Rangers manager Dick Advocaat, had already stoked the fires for a potential meeting with Scotland by declaring he wanted to meet them in the play-offs for "personal reasons."
And his Scotland counterpart Vogts admitted: "This is probably one of the toughest draws in the group but it is still just two games.
"Anything can happen and we have a chance. It will be a good experience for us but we are looking forward to it.
"The team played very well against Germany and we will have to do the same against Holland.
"We will need a lot of luck and we certainly have to go the hardest way, but we will fight for Scotland.
"We are the underdogs, but Holland have had problems in the qualifying."
Wales boss Mark Hughes was slightly happier with the outcome, although he acknowledged the Russians will present a serious threat.
He said: "It is a tough draw, but we knew whoever we were selected with would be difficult.
"I have to say we have avoided some of the more potent footballing nations, so we are reasonably happy."
Hughes added: "We are pleased to have the second leg at home because we will know exactly what we need to achieve.
"There is a very realistic chance we can get through. They are a very talented side, but I feel if we have all our best players available we can do very well."