Euro 2004 Group 10

BBC Sport Online looks at the countries drawn in qualifying Group 10 for Euro 2004.

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Republic of Ireland
Coach: Vacant
The Republic of Ireland are seeking a replacement for Mick McCarthy, who resigned from the post in November.

McCarthy came under fire following the rift with Roy Keane that soured their impressive performances at the 2002 World Cup finals.

The Irish had qualified for Japan and Korea, despite being drawn in a tough group with Holland and Portugal in the European qualifying tournament.

Group 10 fixtures

2002

Sept 7: Russia v Rep of Ireland, Switzerland v Georgia

Oct 12: Albania v Switzerland, Georgia v Russia

Oct 16: Rep of Ireland v Switzerland, Russia v Albania

2003

Mar 29: Georgia v Rep of Ireland, Albania v Russia

Apr 2: Albania v Rep of Ireland, Georgia v Switzerland

June 7: Switzerland v Russia, Rep of Ireland v Albania

June 11: Rep of Ireland v Georgia, Switzerland v Albania

Sept 6: Rep of Ireland v Russia, Georgia v Albania

Sept 10: Russia v Switzerland, Albania v Georgia

Oct 11: Russia v Georgia, Switzerland v Rep of Ireland

Having drawn to both of those rivals, the Irish finished in second place at the expense of the Dutch and then beat Iran in a play-off to reach the finals for the third time in their history.

Their World Cup hopes ended at the hands of Spain in the second round, despite losing the services of captain Keane ahead of the tournament.

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Russia
Coach: Valery Gazzayev
Oleg Romantsev's appointment restored Russia's reputation as one of Europe's most feared nations after years in the doldrums ahead of the World Cup.

But a poor tournament led to his demise and he has been replaced by Valery Gazzayev.

The emergence of teenager Marat Izmailov typifies the new Russia, though the prolific Vladimir Beschastnykh remains their most valued asset.

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Switzerland
Coach: Jakob Kuhn
Having operated under foreign coaches for 12 years, Switzerland returned to a home-grown leader when Kuhn was appointed in the summer of 2001.

Kuhn is perfectly placed to oversee the introduction of Switzerland's rising young stars, having coached the nation's Under-17 and Under-21 sides.

He has already told Switzerland's older players, including Stephane Chapuisat and Ciriaco Sforza, that their days are numbered.

His radical overhaul may mean qualification remains a tall order for the Swiss this time round.

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Georgia
Coach: Alexander Chivadze
By right, Georgia should be more of a force in international football, particularly after the success of Dynamo Tbilisi in European club football.

But gifted players such as Georgi Kinkladze, Kakha Kaladze, Shota Arveladze and Alexander Iashvili have failed to have the desired impact and the country have yet to qualify for a major championships.

Georgia did however finish their World Cup qualifying campaign with victories over Luxemburg, Hungary, and Lithuania, under the guidance of their newly installed coach Alexander Chivadze.

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Albania
Coach: Sulejman Demollari
Albania may have finished fifth in their group in qualifying for Euro 2000, but England fans are all too aware of the danger that lies in taking them too lightly.

Albania were 2-1 down in their home match against England in the qualifying stages of World Cup 2002 and could have pulled off an improbable draw had the referee not ruled a goal offside, before England ran out 3-1 winners.

In recent years, Albania have registered two impressive wins over neighbours Greece and looked to be heading for a creditable draw with Germany before a last-minute goal saved the former world champions' blushes.