Scotland's footballers have today been drawn against new boys Gibraltar and next door neighbours Republic of Ireland in the qualifiers for Euro 2016.
It is the first time Gibraltar are to play in the qualifiers of any major tournament. Last year the tiny British territory, which borders Spain and has a population of just 30,000, was finally given full UEFA membership and are therefore now able to play in the big time and aim to qualify for major tournament. Previously they played the likes of Aland Islands, Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, Isle of Man, Greenland, Madeira, Orkney, Rhodes, the England C team, Shetland, Isle of Wight and Ynys Môn (Wales's Isle of Anglesey in English).
Gibraltar first applied for UEFA membership in 1999 but were declined due to opposition from Spain. Now they are finally with the big boys.
Today Gibraltar were initially drawn to play against Spain but were moved to Group D to keep the two teams apart and avoid exacerbating political tensions. Armenia and Azerbaijan were also kept apart for a similar reason after also being drawn in the same group.
Gibraltar's main stadium, the 5,000 capacity Victoria Stadium, does not meet Uefa's requirements to be able to host competitive international fixtures, so they will play European qualifiers at the Estadio Algarve in Portugal.
Whilst the Scots will find the minnows of Gibraltar easy, they also have mighty Germany in their group. Beating them will be a tough ask for the Scots. Group D also includes Scotland's neighbours the Republic of Ireland, Poland and Georgia.
England, meanwhile, have a much easier task than the Scots. They have been drawn in Group E with Switzerland, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania and San Marino. England and Lithuania have never played each other, with the Lithuanians not having a national football team whilst their nation was part of the USSR between 1940 and 1990.
Wales have drawn in Group B with Bosnia-Hercegovina, Belgium, Israel, Cyprus and Andorra.
Northern Ireland are in Group F with Greece, Hungary, Romania, Finland and the Faroe Islands.
France is hosting Euro 2016. However they will also take part in qualifying, the first hosts to do so after a rule change, although no qualifying points will rest on their fixtures in Group I. Group I also includes Portugal, Denmark, Serbia, Armenia and Albania.
France will play in the finals whatever the outcome of their games.
Euro 2016 will be made up of 24 nations, an increase from the 16 which have played in the tournament since Euro96 in England.
After each team has played each of the other teams in their group twice, home and away, the top two teams in each of the nine groups will progress to the tournament finals, along with the best third-placed finisher. The remaining eight third-placed teams go into the play-offs in November 2015.
The last time France hosted a major tournament - the 1998 World Cup - was also the last time Scotland qualified for a major tournament.
Of two of the other Home Nations, Northern Ireland last qualified for a major tournament in 1986 at the Mexico World Cup, whereas Wales have not qualified for one since 1958 at the Sweden World Cup.
Euro 2016: Scotland face Republic of Ireland & Gibraltar in qualifiers
BBC Sport
23 February 2014
Scotland and the Republic of Ireland have been drawn together in one of the toughest groups in qualifying for the 2016 European Championship.
Their group also includes Germany, Poland, Georgia and Gibraltar.
England face Switzerland, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania and San Marino while Wales have drawn Bosnia-Hercegovina, Belgium, Israel, Cyprus and Andorra.
Northern Ireland are in Group F with Greece, Hungary, Romania, Finland and the Faroe Islands.
Euro 2016 is being hosted by France, who qualify automatically, and will be made up of 24 nations, an increase from 16 in the current format.
The top two teams in each of the nine groups will progress to the tournament finals, along with the best third-placed finisher. The remaining eight third-placed teams go into the play-offs in November 2015.
The rise in teams at the competition will have given the the home nations added belief that they could qualify, but Scotland and the Republic know they still face a stern challenge.
The last time Scotland and Republic of Ireland played each other was in the inaugural Nations Cup in May 2011, with Robbie Keane scoring the winner in a 1-0 win for the Republic of Ireland. The Nations Cup involved Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland and was meant to be held every two years but was discontinued thereafter
"Every tie, there's something in it," said Scotland manager Gordon Strachan.
"Some groups are mundane, but we are in an exciting one. It's a terrific, terrific draw. We're excited, but it will be competitive.
"We've got a hard group, you never know how it will fluctuate over a couple of years, but if we can keep our players fit, we have a chance.
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The defining moments of Euro 2012
"We want to keep our momentum going, but this will be a really good level we will play at. If we play at the level we can play, we can definitely qualify."
Scotland's last major tournament appearance came at the 1998 World Cup in France.
The Republic played at Euro 2012 when they qualified for the tournament via the play-offs.
"It's a difficult group but an exciting one, nevertheless," said Republic boss Martin O'Neill.
"Germany are the outstanding team in the group but there's plenty to fight for. Let's be positive and let's go for it.
"With the exception of Germany, it looks like a group where lots of teams will be able to take points off each other and I think it will be tight right until the end."
"To reach France, especially out of this group, would be the utopia. It would be amazing but we have a lot of fighting to do between now and then."
Play media
"Euro 2016 draw good for England" said England manager Roy Hodgson. Hodgson knows all about Switzerland after being their manager in the 1994 World Cup
England manager Roy Hodgson will be confident of his side's qualifying chances and he is familiar with Switzerland, having led the country to the 1994 World Cup.
"I'm very satisfied [with the group], particularly for the fans," said Hodgson. "They've had some quite difficult trips in recent years and this time we go to places that are a little easier to get to and very pleasant to visit.
"Switzerland always brings a smile to my face because I had four fantastic years with them."
England have never played Lithuania and Hodgson added: "I went to Vilnius [the capital] with Fulham, so it's not completely unknown to me.
"It's a nice place to visit and Lithuania, like many countries in that region, are a good footballing team."
Wales have never played at a European Championship and their last appearance at a major tournament was the 1958 World Cup.
"I'm happy," said Wales manager Chris Coleman. "The biggest concern is ourselves and the amount of times we can field our best team.
"Bosnia and Belgium are two strong teams, there are no mugs in the group and there will be no easy games.
"We are not going into it targeting third, we have to win as many games as we can."
Northern Ireland have not qualified for a major tournament since the 1986 World Cup and they have never participated in a European Championship.
"Automatic qualification is the aim but having third place to aim at also helps," said Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill. "You could possibly get third place with 14 points, which I think is achievable.
"It's important for us to get points on the board and get momentum."
Gibraltar, taking part for the first time after being accepted as a Uefa member last year, were initially drawn to play against Spain but were moved to Group D to keep the two teams apart and avoid exacerbating political tensions.
Play media
Euro 2016: Gibraltar's Allen Bula wants to reach play-offs
Armenia and Azerbaijan were also kept apart for a similar reason after also being drawn in the same group.
Current European champions Spain have been pitted against Ukraine, Slovakia, Belarus, FYR Macedonia and Luxembourg.
The qualification period runs from 7 September 2014 until 13 October 2015. The play-offs will be held over two legs in November, with the draw for the main tournament being held on 12 December 2015. It all gets under way in France on 10 June 2016.
There is a change to the Euro 2016 fixture schedule, with qualifying matches spread over six days rather than being played on just Fridays and Tuesdays.
France will also take part in qualifying, the first hosts to do so after a rule change, although no qualifying points will rest on their fixtures in Group I.
They will play in the finals whatever the outcome of their games. France are in Group I withPortugal, Denmark, Serbia and Armenia. Albania
Uefa's new boys
Gibraltar has been a British Overseas Territory since 1713, when it was ceded to Britain for eternity by the Treaty of Utrecht
They were accepted as a full member of Uefa in May 2013
Gibraltar's main stadium, the 5,000 capacity Victoria Stadium, does not meet Uefa's requirements to be able to host competitive international fixtures, so they will play European qualifiers at the Estadio Algarve in Portugal
Euro 2016 qualifying groups:
Group A: Netherlands, Czech Republic, Turkey, Latvia, Iceland, Kazakhstan.
Group B: Bosnia-Hercegovina, Belgium, Israel, Wales, Cyprus, Andorra.
Group C: Spain, Ukraine, Slovakia, Belarus, FYR Macedonia, Luxembourg.
Group D: Germany, Republic of Ireland, Poland, Scotland, Georgia, Gibraltar.
Group E: England, Switzerland, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, San Marino.
Group F: Greece, Hungary, Romania, Finland, Northern Ireland, Faroe Islands.
Group G: Russia, Sweden, Austria, Montenegro, Moldova, Liechtenstein.
Group H: Italy, Croatia, Norway, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Malta.
Group I: Portugal, Denmark, Serbia, Armenia, Albania, France (will qualify no matter how many points they get).
BBC Sport - Euro 2016: Scotland face Republic of Ireland & Gibraltar in qualifiers
It is the first time Gibraltar are to play in the qualifiers of any major tournament. Last year the tiny British territory, which borders Spain and has a population of just 30,000, was finally given full UEFA membership and are therefore now able to play in the big time and aim to qualify for major tournament. Previously they played the likes of Aland Islands, Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, Isle of Man, Greenland, Madeira, Orkney, Rhodes, the England C team, Shetland, Isle of Wight and Ynys Môn (Wales's Isle of Anglesey in English).
Gibraltar first applied for UEFA membership in 1999 but were declined due to opposition from Spain. Now they are finally with the big boys.
Today Gibraltar were initially drawn to play against Spain but were moved to Group D to keep the two teams apart and avoid exacerbating political tensions. Armenia and Azerbaijan were also kept apart for a similar reason after also being drawn in the same group.
Gibraltar's main stadium, the 5,000 capacity Victoria Stadium, does not meet Uefa's requirements to be able to host competitive international fixtures, so they will play European qualifiers at the Estadio Algarve in Portugal.
Whilst the Scots will find the minnows of Gibraltar easy, they also have mighty Germany in their group. Beating them will be a tough ask for the Scots. Group D also includes Scotland's neighbours the Republic of Ireland, Poland and Georgia.
England, meanwhile, have a much easier task than the Scots. They have been drawn in Group E with Switzerland, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania and San Marino. England and Lithuania have never played each other, with the Lithuanians not having a national football team whilst their nation was part of the USSR between 1940 and 1990.
Wales have drawn in Group B with Bosnia-Hercegovina, Belgium, Israel, Cyprus and Andorra.
Northern Ireland are in Group F with Greece, Hungary, Romania, Finland and the Faroe Islands.
France is hosting Euro 2016. However they will also take part in qualifying, the first hosts to do so after a rule change, although no qualifying points will rest on their fixtures in Group I. Group I also includes Portugal, Denmark, Serbia, Armenia and Albania.
France will play in the finals whatever the outcome of their games.
Euro 2016 will be made up of 24 nations, an increase from the 16 which have played in the tournament since Euro96 in England.
After each team has played each of the other teams in their group twice, home and away, the top two teams in each of the nine groups will progress to the tournament finals, along with the best third-placed finisher. The remaining eight third-placed teams go into the play-offs in November 2015.
The last time France hosted a major tournament - the 1998 World Cup - was also the last time Scotland qualified for a major tournament.
Of two of the other Home Nations, Northern Ireland last qualified for a major tournament in 1986 at the Mexico World Cup, whereas Wales have not qualified for one since 1958 at the Sweden World Cup.
Euro 2016: Scotland face Republic of Ireland & Gibraltar in qualifiers
BBC Sport
23 February 2014
Scotland and the Republic of Ireland have been drawn together in one of the toughest groups in qualifying for the 2016 European Championship.
Their group also includes Germany, Poland, Georgia and Gibraltar.
England face Switzerland, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania and San Marino while Wales have drawn Bosnia-Hercegovina, Belgium, Israel, Cyprus and Andorra.
Northern Ireland are in Group F with Greece, Hungary, Romania, Finland and the Faroe Islands.
Euro 2016 is being hosted by France, who qualify automatically, and will be made up of 24 nations, an increase from 16 in the current format.
The top two teams in each of the nine groups will progress to the tournament finals, along with the best third-placed finisher. The remaining eight third-placed teams go into the play-offs in November 2015.
The rise in teams at the competition will have given the the home nations added belief that they could qualify, but Scotland and the Republic know they still face a stern challenge.
The last time Scotland and Republic of Ireland played each other was in the inaugural Nations Cup in May 2011, with Robbie Keane scoring the winner in a 1-0 win for the Republic of Ireland. The Nations Cup involved Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland and was meant to be held every two years but was discontinued thereafter
"Every tie, there's something in it," said Scotland manager Gordon Strachan.
"Some groups are mundane, but we are in an exciting one. It's a terrific, terrific draw. We're excited, but it will be competitive.
"We've got a hard group, you never know how it will fluctuate over a couple of years, but if we can keep our players fit, we have a chance.
Play media
The defining moments of Euro 2012
"We want to keep our momentum going, but this will be a really good level we will play at. If we play at the level we can play, we can definitely qualify."
Scotland's last major tournament appearance came at the 1998 World Cup in France.
The Republic played at Euro 2012 when they qualified for the tournament via the play-offs.
"It's a difficult group but an exciting one, nevertheless," said Republic boss Martin O'Neill.
"Germany are the outstanding team in the group but there's plenty to fight for. Let's be positive and let's go for it.
"With the exception of Germany, it looks like a group where lots of teams will be able to take points off each other and I think it will be tight right until the end."
"To reach France, especially out of this group, would be the utopia. It would be amazing but we have a lot of fighting to do between now and then."
Play media
"Euro 2016 draw good for England" said England manager Roy Hodgson. Hodgson knows all about Switzerland after being their manager in the 1994 World Cup
England manager Roy Hodgson will be confident of his side's qualifying chances and he is familiar with Switzerland, having led the country to the 1994 World Cup.
"I'm very satisfied [with the group], particularly for the fans," said Hodgson. "They've had some quite difficult trips in recent years and this time we go to places that are a little easier to get to and very pleasant to visit.
"Switzerland always brings a smile to my face because I had four fantastic years with them."
England have never played Lithuania and Hodgson added: "I went to Vilnius [the capital] with Fulham, so it's not completely unknown to me.
"It's a nice place to visit and Lithuania, like many countries in that region, are a good footballing team."
Wales have never played at a European Championship and their last appearance at a major tournament was the 1958 World Cup.
"I'm happy," said Wales manager Chris Coleman. "The biggest concern is ourselves and the amount of times we can field our best team.
"Bosnia and Belgium are two strong teams, there are no mugs in the group and there will be no easy games.
"We are not going into it targeting third, we have to win as many games as we can."
Northern Ireland have not qualified for a major tournament since the 1986 World Cup and they have never participated in a European Championship.
"Automatic qualification is the aim but having third place to aim at also helps," said Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill. "You could possibly get third place with 14 points, which I think is achievable.
"It's important for us to get points on the board and get momentum."
Gibraltar, taking part for the first time after being accepted as a Uefa member last year, were initially drawn to play against Spain but were moved to Group D to keep the two teams apart and avoid exacerbating political tensions.
Play media
Euro 2016: Gibraltar's Allen Bula wants to reach play-offs
Armenia and Azerbaijan were also kept apart for a similar reason after also being drawn in the same group.
Current European champions Spain have been pitted against Ukraine, Slovakia, Belarus, FYR Macedonia and Luxembourg.
The qualification period runs from 7 September 2014 until 13 October 2015. The play-offs will be held over two legs in November, with the draw for the main tournament being held on 12 December 2015. It all gets under way in France on 10 June 2016.
There is a change to the Euro 2016 fixture schedule, with qualifying matches spread over six days rather than being played on just Fridays and Tuesdays.
France will also take part in qualifying, the first hosts to do so after a rule change, although no qualifying points will rest on their fixtures in Group I.
They will play in the finals whatever the outcome of their games. France are in Group I withPortugal, Denmark, Serbia and Armenia. Albania
Uefa's new boys
Gibraltar has been a British Overseas Territory since 1713, when it was ceded to Britain for eternity by the Treaty of Utrecht
They were accepted as a full member of Uefa in May 2013
Gibraltar's main stadium, the 5,000 capacity Victoria Stadium, does not meet Uefa's requirements to be able to host competitive international fixtures, so they will play European qualifiers at the Estadio Algarve in Portugal
Euro 2016 qualifying groups:
Group A: Netherlands, Czech Republic, Turkey, Latvia, Iceland, Kazakhstan.
Group B: Bosnia-Hercegovina, Belgium, Israel, Wales, Cyprus, Andorra.
Group C: Spain, Ukraine, Slovakia, Belarus, FYR Macedonia, Luxembourg.
Group D: Germany, Republic of Ireland, Poland, Scotland, Georgia, Gibraltar.
Group E: England, Switzerland, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, San Marino.
Group F: Greece, Hungary, Romania, Finland, Northern Ireland, Faroe Islands.
Group G: Russia, Sweden, Austria, Montenegro, Moldova, Liechtenstein.
Group H: Italy, Croatia, Norway, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Malta.
Group I: Portugal, Denmark, Serbia, Armenia, Albania, France (will qualify no matter how many points they get).
BBC Sport - Euro 2016: Scotland face Republic of Ireland & Gibraltar in qualifiers
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