Background ¦ Your reaction ¦ Have your say

The Background:

England and Scotland, two of football's oldest enemies, have been thrown together in the Euro 2000 play-offs.

The draw in Germany took an almost inevitable turn as Scotland were first out of the hat, immediately followed by England.

Now the arch rivals face two titanic clashes in the middle of November to decide which team goes on to the finals in Holland and Belgium.

England coach Kevin Keegan said both teams had "hit the jackpot", and his team - ranked 12th in the world to Scotland's 20th - were immediately made 4-9 favourites by bookmakers William Hill to make the finals.

Memories of past encounters will come flooding back - epic battles in the old Home Internationals, Scotland's 3-2 triumph over the World Champions at Wembley in 1967, Gascoigne's killer goal at Euro '96...the list goes on.

But that's in the past. Now all eyes are on the mouth-watering play-offs next month.

What do you make of it? Email now...

Background ¦ Your reaction ¦ Have your say

Your Reaction:

England, England all the way. I think the form and the will to win is back within the England side. With the possible return of Gary Neville, and the return of Owen will certain give the England side a stronger defence and attack, and along with David Beckhams passing ability, I'm sure we win and possibly the cup it self.
Leo, Australia

England are technically better, man for man, but have a tactically inept manager. Scotland have a shrewd coach who brings out the best from a group of players with limited individual skills. It's a toss up!
Don Leyton, England

I agree with most of the comments made earlier that England is and always will be the most over-hyped, over-rated teams in the football arena. Not only that they yet to win anything major except Le Tour Noi De France, which does not count as a major cup anyway. Having said that, we would rather see the St George flag in Belgium & Holland come year 2000 as the Scotland team is twice deficient than England.
Hafizul, Malaysia

At this point I think both teams are equally strong yet I sympathise with Scotland. I always liked them and I hope Scotland will win...
Jamshid Sulaymonov, Uzbekistan/USA

Do either England or Scotland stand a chance of winning the tournament? NO! So who cares!
Michael, UK

Of course I think it's going to be England! But if Scotland go through, the English will support them. Pity it won't happen the other way around. I lived in Scotland for two years, and most of the Scots have no sense of BRITISH pride. Perhaps we should just have a Great Britain team -after all, Great Britain is the sovereign country - you don't have other country's regions represented at this level - I don't see the German team split into Bavaria and the like, so why should we?
John Ellis, England

Arrogance doesn't win games - a well balanced and disciplined TEAM does. England have neither - they have all the individual talent, on paper, but the EURO campaign sums up their collective team problems. Scotland will deservedly win on the 'away goals' rule.
Colin, USA

Both sides are mediocre and don't deserve to qualify. However England will probably sneak it. As an Englishman living in Scotland it was the worst of draws as I'm going to have to listen to a month of historical inaccuracies masquerading as the truth about how badly done to Scotland has been ( and that is before I get the "how unlucky we are in the World Cup stories").
David, Scotland

I'm glad we have drawn the Scottish. Its going to be a double bonus - win and knock out the Jocks as well!!! Come on England.
Simon, England

"England will win because they don't wear skirts" - This is the kind of racist bigotry that Scots who live in England have to endure day in day out. It helps exlain why the Anglo Scots are if anything more fervently nationalistic than those at home. I hope Scotland win, if only to stop the English arrogance that greeted the draw from the supposedly "national" media - including the BBC!!
John, England

As a great football fan I would rightly state that football is an unpredictable game, I mean look at the last world cup, would you ever think France would beat Brazil, no. So the Scot-England match cannot be judged as a forgone conclusion because it all depends whose on song on the day i.e. who really wants to win it. So I'll just say good luck to both teams but greater luck to England cos I would like to see them in the finals.
Steve Salako, England

There is more chance of Gazza becoming the England manager, than a bunch of skirts, beating Keegan's England!!
Bob Phillips, UK

England are too confident so Scotland will pull off a surprise win.
Robert, Scotland

Scotland will trounce the English!!!
Jose' Torres jr, America

This is an absolute bonus for both England and Scotland. I think the managers should state publicly, that they will play two fair play games. Fast and entertaining. I think they can do an awful lot to prepare the supporters for excellent sporty behaviour. May the best side win.
Martin de Borst, Netherlands

Scotland will rue the day!
Sharon Neill, Belgium

I think England will win like they always do and I can accept that, it's just the arrogance and biased media that makes the whole thing difficult to swallow.
Barry Middleton, Scotland

On paper, England are by far the better team. However, don't discount the Scots. There may be an upset, especially if the English team get too over-confident. I say good luck to both teams. May the best men win!
Selena Z, England

Here we go again, more baloney from the 3 lions on my chest brigade, after the performances of England, Scotland and Ireland none of them deserve to be in the finals.
John, Republic of Ireland

It just has to be an England victory. Better team, better management, better everything.
Jasper, Maroochy, Australia

I think both teams are rather mediocre. I feel England will prevail, but would prefer to see Scotland. Of course if Scotland goes through, it will prompt the English to revel in their past glory of 1966. Have England ever done anything in a major national competition outside of 1966 and a semi-final appearance in 1990. England have got to be the most over-rated, over-hyped football nation of all time. Their pompous attitudes, belligerent press and obnoxious fans don't win them any friends either...
Josey, USA

Lets face the facts, England and Scotland are two of the most overrated teams in the world; England are woefully abysmal since the sacking of Hoddle while the Scots are no different from the Scots of the 70's and 80's. Both do not deserve to be in Euro 2000. Its a pity one of them will go through at the expense of Denmark, Turkey or the Ukraine.
Zani, Malaysia

Not only would I like England to qualify simply because it would enhance the overall tournament, I personally don't think Scotland have a remote chance against England. They are a mediocre side with mediocre players who simply don't have much to offer (other than their supporters) a tournament such as Euro 2000. Let's not forget that Scotland was in probably the easiest of qualifying groups. Every team has its off days but Scotland almost always seems to struggle.
Mark, Holland

Shearer and Owen versus Dodds and Gallagher - there's no real comparison is there? However, England have struggled of late, and I guess now is as good a time as ever to play them. Really looking forward to it - just hope the English fans behave!!
Liam, Scotland

Both teams have been playing terrible football. The hype only just outweighs the excuses. Most people want to hate the English, as usual, and of course they use football because of what some moronic fans have done. It's pathetic to get so reactionary and racist over football. Let's keep our sense of humour and just enjoy the competition if we truly are sports fans.
Chris C, UK

The majority of English football supporters are genuine fans who love the game. The thugs who call themselves supporters are the minority and if trouble arises will scupper our chances of ever holding a World Cup. Good luck to both teams, but of course, I will be supporting my country.
Tessa, England

Good to see some reasoned arguments for an English win. I do however remember Mr Temperamental Beckham wearing a ridiculous skirt.
David MacKenzie, Scotland

It would have been nice to see England, Ireland and Scotland in the finals, except now we have to put up with the jingoist attitude from the English press as they now hype up the game to further alienate the Scots in our Union. FIFA should have drawn them apart in a similar way that the world cup was conducted with good nations playing poorer nations
Mark Lisle, Ireland

Scotland will win both legs And I hope never to see Gazza's goal from '96 again. EVER. Even if it was good.
John, Scotland

I am English by birth, but my father is Scottish, so, this entitles me to support both teams. And I think England are revelling in the limelight, too much.
Peter Crawford-Bolton, UK in US

Being sensible England will win, but my heart wants Scotland, but you never know your Donald Duck
Stewart, Scotland

Expert prediction: Scotland beats England by one (most likely 1-0). After all, you can't get lucky all the time
Sherzod, Uzbekistan

England should let Scotland win so we don't have to suffer through another humiliating tournament.
Darryl, USA

Well I say Scotland and Clare says England. It's going be close but whatever the outcome we're both sure it's going to be something to remember. Good luck to both teams
Billy and Clare, Scotland/England

ENGLAND will win because they are far better than the Scots, and even if we play a mediocre game like the first half against Belgium, we will still manage to go through because ENGLAND will surely OUTCLASS Scotland!! It will be the first step towards seeing ENGLAND ON TOP OF THE WORLD!!!! GOOD LUCK ENGLAND!!!
Kevin Farrugia, Malta

The winners will be the media giants and fans.- The losers will be everyone else having to put up with the inevitable and unnecessary violence that the fans will display.
Edward, UK

There is no doubt that on paper, England should win because they are a stronger nation. However, England are also a divided nation - Scotland has a fresh, bold identity and a new parliament. The blood is strong and the Scots fighting qualities might just see them through. If we win, we'll party; lose, we'll still party! My one hope for the tie is that the teams play good, clean football and that the fans enjoy it. After all, it's only a game....!
Roddy Pattison, Scotland

Of course Scotland will win! The English are just a bunch of wussy boys.......
Joe Tan, Singapore

I hate to admit it, but England will win 4-2.
Dele Adeyi, Nigeria

Let's face it, if the Jocks can only muster a draw against the Faroe Islands, then it's "Tot ziens, Scotland" as Ruud Gullit might say etc, etc.
Janot, France

I really hope that Scots will show to England that they are not the best team on the island any more.
Olaf, Croatia

The best soccer in the world is played by England.
Serch, Mexico

England is one of the most over rated teams in the world. Whenever they lose they claim that they deserved to win. Basically Scotland will win 2-1.
Franz. B, Germany

England are overrated and I fancy Scotland to win, preferably on penalties with David Beckham missing the decisive penalty ... I'll be cheering for Scotland, as will all neutral fans in Europe.
David Schipper, Austria

Please god preserve us from the 300 years of colonial resentment due to spill from the Scots - they're already dusting off the arrogant English, plucky Scots stereotypes that serve as an excuse for blatant racism. Thank goodness I'm in Australia where people are well-balanced - at least they've got a chip on both shoulders!
Craig, Tasmania

Oh for God's sake if I hear one more comment about English football hooligans from the hypocritical Dutch... as for Scotland I wish them luck but face it, they're rubbish
Alan, Japan

England won't just win. They're gonna win BIG. In fact, they're gonna make the Scotsmen cry in their skirts!
Raymond Chew, Malaysia

England or Scotland, who cares, two middle class European teams... Scots would probably play with more hart if they go through.
Tony, Italy

The English might be the ones wearing the trousers but the Scots know how to keep their balls in the air. Live on Braveheart!!!
Rachel, England

We all know that England are better on paper and we Scots have a habit of making life difficult for ourselves. However we can take a beating, we are used to it but we still keep coming back. The problem with England is their arrogance and every other country in the world agrees. Look at Keegan a day after qualifying on the back of Sweden's result he was saying how they could win it. Why do the English honestly belief they are good enough to win everything. I hope we win but if we don't so be it at least we won't cause riots in the streets.
Neil, Scotland

As an England fan I find the recent media hype regarding both England & Scotland unbelievable. First we beg for the Swedes to knock out Poland, and then jeer at the Scots for being "losers" in the world arena. But surely, if we were so good, we wouldn't be in this mess in the first place!
Carl Wheeler, England

As a football fan, I would like to see England play in EURO 2000. It would be a loss if England wouldn't play here. Unfortunately, I will miss the Scottish fans...
Francois Kloosterhuis, The Netherlands

Scotland has to win - With the behaviour of the English "supporters" over the years to go by: we DESERVE to win. Who was it that won the Grand Slam again?
Caroline, Auld Reekie

At this point is doesn't matter, it will be the best game in the entire competition anyway, as neither team will make it to the final.
Tracy, England

On listening to Sky Sports last night England have already won the tournament - There will only be one set of fans arriving in Holland this summer and that will be the fans of The Tartan Army!!! Party On!!!
Poli, Scotland

Despite poor performances against Sweden and Poland, do people really think England would have failed to beat Lithuania, Estonia and the Faroe Islands(!!) and lost twice to the Czechs in qualifying? England played poorly and are lucky to qualify in a strong group, but Scotland have been completely inept against footballing minnows and are only in the play-offs because they were in the weakest of all the groups, yet they seem happy with their performance. Draw your own conclusions on who is the better side and will win.
Richard, England

It's time for a British team to show a good performance at an international competition. England has the better side, as long as they stop drinking beer and eating Kebab. I think England will win!
Kai-Oliver Geisler, Germany

By looking at some of the comments from English folks you can tell that they are inbred freaks with no education. Kilts aren't skirts and we don't wear them every day...maybe you should read more. As for the game, I truly hope Scotland wins, but no matter who does it will be a good game and I hope EVERYONE enjoys it.
Stuart, Scotland

I think Scotland could possibly sneak a victory they did well in their qualifying campaign and in Euro 96 but for that missed penalty Scotland could have beat England
David, Ireland

England v Scotland. Scotland v England. The very soul of football. The teams will do us proud. Let's hope the fans do too.
JE, England

Personally this draw has done me a great favour. For years I've been the breed of England supporter to always support Scotland in their efforts too. However, I've given that up recently because I got sick of the Scots always wanting England to get beaten by anyone they play.
Which is why I've taken to putting bets on against Scotland in their games just as a nice bonus for if England get the score I want. Mind you, I haven't won much recently!
Chris, England

At long last we get to see who the Champions of Britain are, Scotland the Brave.
Jon McManus, Hong Kong

Scotland don't deserve to be in the playoffs because they are sub-standard team qualifying from an easy group. England needed Sweden to get them in the back door. It's a shame both of them can't lose
Alex, Ireland

I think it will be a draw after full time and extra time over the two legs and that Scotland will win on penalties!!
Chris Kelsey, England

Bring back Gascoigne so he can do to the Scots what he did at Euro96 - possibly the best goal in history! I have no doubt that England will win and we'll do it according to Keegan's strategy and ability in focusing the various talents in his team! To Gordonia (USA), go home if you don't like it here! To those people in Scotland who want a GB team - you'll need to get rid of any thoughts of independence and abandon your parliament if you want to be seen as GB on the world stage!
Paul Charters, England

Both teams are strong. The Scotland squad has proven itself to other teams that they can win matches. England also have a strong squad, but they may suffer a bit as Keegan has not been in the job long, but he does have his Newcastle record behind him. Whoever wins, it will be a good match both at Hampden and Wembley.
Ben, Scotland

It will be a GREAT Game, Nail biting as well. I do wish the Scots would put on their dresses.
Robert Seruwagi, Uganda

Over-hyped and over there. Already the media frenzy has started about "`the Battle of Britain "etc but lets not forget that it is a second chance for two failures. As for your stream of forecasters lets remember the quote from one of football's greats - Jock Stein- "only fools make predictions ".Perhaps we should send eleven of the Tartan Army to Europe as the British representatives as we know that they will lose anyway but in a friendly manner.
Willy, Malaysia

I laud England and have always supported them no matter how many times the Manager change the players. Not only I love England, I have been an ardent supporter of the Premier League and Nationwide Leagues. Like England, I love Scotland and am an ardent Hibs fan. A lot of the Scottish players played in England and so do English players play in Scotland too. It's a terrible thought that the Battle of Britain is fought at such early stages. But lets hope that both Braveheart and Queen of Hearts will have a peaceful and exciting game to show the rest of Europe.
Dominic Chan, Singapore

England will win, and the Scots will have something else to moan about for years to come.
Ben, England

I wish they would play against one another more often. Competition is healthy.
Jamil Aslam, London

Scotland deserves to win, I want them to win, but with England's luck getting to the playoff in the first place I won't be holding my breath. Go on Scotland - We can do it.
Gary Ramsay, Bonnie Scotland

They both deserve to lose, because they both qualified through the back door. Maybe they should start straight off with penalty kicks and avoid the real game.
Julian, USA

It's been Scotland's year - The Rugby 5 nations, The Open and, of course, devolution. Luck is on the Scot's side!
Struan Grant, Iceland

England's team will consist of a bunch of overpaid, over hyped, pop star wannabes. Scotland's hard work and solid defence will see us through to a 2-1 win over the two legs.
Simon, Scotland

The English have too high an opinion of themselves. They have not learned from their embarrassing scrape into the playoffs. At least Scotland qualified under their own steam. Its worth bearing in mind that Scotland have qualified for more World Cups than England - even thought England have won it. Honestly, they have! It was on the television last night, and the night before that, and the night before that, ...
Derek, Scotland

Scotland will win this game. everybody goes on about all the superstars that play for England the likes of Beckham, Owen, Shearer,etc. this will only help the Scots because no one ever says stuff about them and they will be going out there to show the rest of Britain that they do have their own superstars. Scotland will beat England and will then qualify for the quarter finals of Euro 2000.
Richard Evans, Scotland

I don't know who will win but we are going to see a great football game.
Alisher, Uzbekistan

England 'should' win on paper. But the Scott's will give 'blood' to beat us. They owe us one since Euro 96'. They always up their game against England.
Matthew Williamson, England

Football's the winner, as at least one of these two mediocre teams will be eliminated, thus sparing us the agony of watching both of them in a major tournament. Still, the game should provide some pathetic moments we can laugh at. I'll root for Scotland of course, as I'd rather see their wonderful kilted ginger-wigged fans than beer-bellied rabid and arrogant English hooligans.
Angelo, Brazil

Scotland will win, we got the easiest draw as England had the worst qualifying record of the 2nd placed teams. Lets hope the English thugs can behave themselves this time unlike Euro 96 and their disgraceful riots around Trafalgar Square.
Jason, Scotland

It is a shame that both teams are meeting in the play-offs as there will only be 1 team in the Euro 2000 from GB.
Agneta, Sweden

No matter who wins, the media will hype it all up beyond belief, and whoever loses will not be allowed to forget about it for a long time. How about if it's a draw, awarding it to the better behaved fans??
Andrew, Scotland

I reckon it will be two superb games and England will strugle with Keegan still in charge. We will need more than spirit to beat them - How about a few tactics Keegan? Just hope the Scots don't arrive here carrying chips on their shoulders about history which has nothing to do with the modern world.
Andy, England

The Scots will be victorious. Keegan will bottle it.
Colin, Andorra

Just be proud that a British team will get though. May the best team win and good luck to them
Suzanne weeks, England

England to win 1-0 at Wembley after a 0-0 draw at Hampden, with the winner being an own goal by a Scottish player for good measure!
Peter Wilson, UK

Everyone I've spoken to are upset that England and Scotland should have been unlucky enough to be drawn against the other. If one goes out it's always fun to follow the other, but, England should be pleased to have drawn a team they will know so well, and having the strength and depth that they do, I'm sure they'll have the skill to turn over the brave Scots.
David Legg, England

I'd just like to say that it is a fantastic draw which I'm sure would have a world-wide audience gripped as the game will be so dramatic.
On the question of who will win, it's obvious that England are the stronger team but it is interesting to note how they have hit a turbulent spell of late. When you consider how much hype there was around the game at Euro 96 and yet, despite the score Scotland still managed to match England for nearly everything. Once you take into consideration Scotland's battling qualities and also the pressure put upon England by their own media, I think this tie is set to be one of the most dramatic ever!
And of course, my money is on Scotland to be the victors...;-)
Colin McKean, Scotland

I think the result will pale into insignificance, it's what goes on OFF the pitch that will unfortunately make the headlines.
John Astley, England

Scotland will win, because I'd like to see them play in our Country next Summer. Scotland forever!!!!!!!!!!
Maarten van Riel, Holland

I think a 1-1 in the first leg and England to sneak it in the second, maybe 2-1. It will be close though! If we had a GB team, then we wouldn't have great matches like this to look forward to.
Andy W, England

Having been born in England of Scottish parents, I am having a meltdown here as regards who I want to win. Either way, should be a great couple of encounters, and if any game in the finals has as much passion involved as these two I will be surprised.
Ian, USA

A great fixture; it gives us all something interesting to look forward to.
Deborah Cowell, England

Since defeating Holland during Euro 96, England have failed to win a single competitive match against a major Football Nation. Evidently we are not as good as we think we are, and we underestimate the Scots at our Peril.
Ron, England

It's just a shame that they've been drawn together, as one of them has to go through. If they could both be knocked out it might force the authorities to countenance a British team. Meanwhile, my advice to you all is to forget the football and start watching the Rugby.
Steve Travis, Britain

Scotland will win. Then, as tradition dictates, they'll be humiliated in the finals by some football minnows. Shame Luxemborg are already out!
Vladimir Lefcovitch, Poland

I very much disagree with Mr Keegan, Scotland surely go through as they are a real team and not 11 individuals searching for personal glory. Of course the games will be played in a cup atmosphere with not much skill, perhaps this is the time for Batty and Butt then. Anyway Scotland deserve to go through since England needed so much luck. As we say here in Finland you can never sing until the large female is under.
Matti Nout, Suomi Finland

As a true Englishman I would love to see England go through, but I fear a backlash from 96 and think Scotland will win, home and away.
Mark Simms, England

Let's hope it's not Scotland, they've never let us forget they beat us once in a battle. If they beat us in this match we'll probably hear about it until the year 3000.
Chris , England

If Scotland can eliminate England then the citizens of Belgium and Holland will win as they won't have to put up with English thugs and hooligans.
N. Van Crombrugge, Europe

Had it been a one match play-off, I'd have fancied the Scots for a surprise win. As it is two matches, I'm afraid the individual class of Beckham and Owen will prove too much. So, the English to go through, sadly. As both teams don't stand a chance of actually winning Euro 2000, it doesn't really matter which team goes through, but I would have preferred to see a Tartan Army invade my country than the ever so friendly English fans...
Martijn, Netherlands

I think England will win, but they do not really deserve to be in Holland and Belgium next year as they do not seem able to transfer the talent that is available in England to the national team. The football team should take a good hard look at the passion with which the English rugby team plays the game, they may not always win but at least they give their all, which is more than the football team seems to do nowadays.
Iwan Turzanski, Netherlands

Scotland will get their revenge for Euro 96. And it will be all the sweeter.
David, Scotland

England have the better strikers and defenders and will keep Scotland at bay 2-0 To England
Edward Levene, England

Please not England...
Gordonia, USA (living in England)

It could be argued that it is good that at least one set of the UK's under-achieving and over-rated prima donnas will get through the back door by being paired together - probably to then be trounced by all in sight!
David, England

England will win...but I'm sure it will be a couple of great games. I agree that a GB football team would be a force to be reckoned with!
Neil Davis, England

Why is it 'England versus Scotland', and not the other way round? England will probably win - however, just the thought of stuffing the 'auld enemy' makes this fixture worth while!
Malcolm, Scotland

England by miles, to round off a great November in which we also win the Rugby World Cup!
Chris Brown, England

Why don't we have a BRITISH football team?. Imagine....Giggs....
Mike Green, Britain

The way they're playing these days maybe the question should be "Who will play worse?" rather than "who will win?" On paper the English look stronger BUT the Scots have this habit of sneaking into all the major competitions by the skin of their teeth!
Matt, Ireland

Although England are the bookies choice, I fancy Scotland for this game. England have proved consistently that their national team cannot channel the national spirit in important encounters and are often weak against underdogs. Scotland thrive on being written off before a match and have the spirit to carry off an upset. I would like both teams to go through but I think that England will miss out and drop into football obscurity for a few years. A pity.
Al Pearson, USA

If only they could have met in the final, then we could have shown Europe a real British Cup game, still this will have to suffice. Of course, I expect Scotland to win.
Gerry, Scotland

Hampden 2-1
Wembley 1-1
England's staying home!
Colin from Dundee, Scotland

It will be one of two teams that are both obviously second rate because they have to go through the play-offs to reach the Euro 2000 finals.
Andrew Dowle, UK

England will win of course because they do not wear skirts.
Chris Klein, England

Isn't it time we pooled our talents and fielded a British team for these events?
Mike Holmes, Scotland

Who will win? The best team, silly!
Janet, UK

Background ¦ Your reaction ¦ Have your say

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