The Republic of Ireland were today drawn in qualifying group 10 for the 2004 European Championships along with Russia, Switzerland, Georgia, and Albania.
The draw may prompt Irish Manager Mick McCarthy to change the strategy that helped bring his team to next summer's World Cup.
McCarthy had said he would try to arrange to play Ireland's strongest opponent away from home as early as possible in the campaign, as he did against Portugal and Holland.
But he will know if he can postpone the visit to Moscow till early 2003 he will catch the Russians at a time when their domestic league has finished and their home-based players may be lacking match practice.
Northern Ireland landed in a tough group. Spain will be the favourites to qualify automatically for the tournament hosted by Portugal, and Sammy McIlroy's men will be hard pushed to beat Andriy Shevchenko's Ukraine to second place and may even have to settle for fourth behind Greece. They also have a tricky trip to Armenia.
England fared better, however: They will meet Turkey, Slovakia, Macedonia, and Liechenstein.
If Berti Vogts takes over as Scottish manager, as is rumoured, he will have to plan a victory for his new men over his compatriots from Germany. Iceland, Lithuania, and the Faroe Islands are the other obstacles for Scotland on the road to Portugal 2004.