By Matthew Jones Former Wales and Leicester midfielder

Wales have got a tremendous qualifying draw for Euro 2008, a dream come true.

It's there for someone to go out and win Toshack happy with group Euro 2008 draw

For a start the countries are so attractive to the fans, I've spoken to a few already and with the short flights and attractive climates there are quite a few already putting their names down for group trips.

The eight-team Group A with the likes of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan could have been a nightmare.

But the most important factor is what it means for Wales manager John Toshack and his players, and I think that the draw is wide open.

Obviously Germany and the Czech Republic stand out, but it could have been a lot worse.

Wales will know a lot about all the teams in their group and it really looks like it's there for someone to go out and win.

Jones feels the Czech Republic are group favourites

To look at them team-by-team, I have to say that I see the Czech Republic as favourites to win the group.

People have said that they're an ageing side, and I think Pavel Nedved will be retiring from internationals before long.

But players at the end of their careers can really deliver, they have such quality in the likes of Patrick Berger and Milan Baros, and experience in these qualifying groups can be so important.

Germany will obviously be very strong, but Toshack has already said he doesn't think they are a team to compare to their great sides of the past and I agree with him.

May 2002: Wales 1-0 Germany

Wales beat them 1-0 in Cardiff in 2002, and although that was a friendly I think it can give the side confidence that they can compete.

Slovakia are something of an unknown quantity and a fresh team on the international scene, but there's nothing to fear and they could take something out of their local derbies with the Czechs.

Wales' derby with the Republic of Ireland will be a real game to big up, the first competitive clash between the sides.

Wales will want revenge over Cyprus

We saw the amount of interest this sort of fixture could generate in the World Cup qualifiers when England and Northern Ireland were in Wales' group, and NI's win over England showed that anything can happen.

It will be a massive test for the Republic's new manager Steve Staunton and Wales could benefit.

The Cyprus fixture sticks out like a sore thumb after Wales' dismal 1-0 defeat there last November.

I'm sure that result will inspire Toshack's men to set the record straight.

And then there's San Marino - I don't know much about them, but you have to fancy Wales to take maximum points from those two games!

So it's all set up. I do think it's diabolical that Wales can't schedule either of their first two games at the Millennium Stadium because of a Rolling Stones concert, but it's good to give fans in Swansea or Wrexham the chance of a fixture.

Then it'll be back to Cardiff and all out for qualification, and the way Wales have played in the last two-to-three years why not... Bring it on!