Holders Greece start in Moldova

Turkey satisfied
Representatives from title-holders Greece, Norway, Hungary, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Moldova and Malta gathered in Turkey, for whom Turkish Football Association president Haluk Ulusoy was chief delegate. He said: "We had decided on 35 of the 42 matches in the group but failed to agree on the final seven. Therefore all the countries involved decided to conduct a draw of our own, rather than wait for UEFA to do so. In the end we got what we wanted - 99 per cent of it is compatible with our wishes."

'Big effort'
The opening round of matches on 2 September sees Greece begin their defence in Moldova, Hungary host Norway and Malta tackle Bosnia-Herzegovina. Turkey have to wait four more days for their opener against Malta, although fans will already be anticipating the trip to Greece in late March 2007 and the return fixture the following October. Greece coach Otto Rehhagel said: "We made a big effort to agree on the fixtures but it wasn't to be.

Rehhagel happy
"I'm happy with the schedule though. There are no key matches - every encounter is as significant as the next as we strive to qualify for the finals in Austria and Switzerland. We believe we can qualify, and have to show that desire on the pitch." Hungarian Football Federation general secretary Sándor Berzi said: "It's not our ideal programme but I don't think we have a bad draw."

UEFA deadline
The fixtures will not be ratified by UEFA until European football's governing body receives a signed agreement from every team in the group. The deadline for this is 27 February.