The draw for the Euro 2000 play-off matches has been made in Aachen, Germany this morning. The Republic of Ireland have unfortunately been drawn against Turkey, with the first leg in Lansdowne Road on Saturday November 13th, most likely in the afternoon. The draw means the Irish must travel to the hot bed of Istanbul for the crucial second leg in order to qualify for the finals in Holland and Belgium.
Scotland were first out of the hat and they drew old enemy England for what promises to be a passionate affair. Israel drew Denmark while Slovenia will play the Ukraine. The first leg of the two-leg play-offs will take place on the weekend of November 13th/ 14th while the second leg will take place on November 17th. UEFA had decided that the draw would not be seeded as initially speculated.
Portugal, Yugoslavia, Sweden, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Germany, Norway, Spain and Romania, along with hosts Holland and Belgium, have already qualified.
Meanwhile Scotland have taken a giant leap into the top 20 FIFA-ranked nations. Craig Brown's side recorded back-to-back victories over Bosnia and Lithuania this week and the joint success has lifted them up eight places, the biggest advance by any major nation. The Republic of Ireland are down one place to 35th while England remain in 12th. Of the sides who haven't qualified for next summer's championships, Croatia are the highest ranked in sixth, while of those who will play in the tournament, the only nation not in the top 16 is Belgium, who qualified automatically as co-hosts with Holland.
Rankings (top 10, plus selected others): 1 Brazil 839 points, 2 Czech Republic 771, 3 France 768, 4 Spain 767, 5 Germany 734, 6 Croatia 726, 7 Norway 716, 8 Argentina, 9 Romania 713, 10 Italy, 11 Mexico 709, 12 England 688, 20 Scotland 630, 35 Republic of Ireland 578, 78 Northern Ireland 441, 91 Wales 413.
