Group 7: Turkey face English test

Turkey will have the weight of history against them in their bid to reach the 2004 UEFA European Championship in Portugal. For Friday's draw in Porto placed them in Group 7 with their long-time nemesis England as well as Slovakia, F.Y.R. Macedonia and Liechtenstein.

Weight of history
However, national team coach Senol Günes believes the time has come for his country to improve on their dismal record against the English - including seven defeats and a draw. "Turkish football is going well and everybody must take care of Turkish teams now," Günes told the post-draw press conference. "Our players had a bad experience in Holland and Belgium against the Portuguese, so we want to qualify for 2004. But first we want success in the World Cup."

England are favourites
As well as confidence, he continued, Turkey's successful Group 4 qualifying campaign for the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals also gave them an insight into opponents Slovakia and F.Y.R. Macedonia. "We know Slovakia and Macedonia from qualifying for the 2002 World Cup, but Liechtenstein and England are new to us. Two teams look like favourites, England and Turkey, and we must also check out Slovakia before we play them. Three teams have a chance but England have the best chance. We must prepare well for every team because we want to win every match we play."

Relief for Eriksson
For England coach Sven-Göran Eriksson, the immediate reaction was one of relief at having avoided the big guns of "France, Spain or Germany". "Instead it is Turkey, Slovakia and Macedonia," said the Swede. "It's not easy but we have avoided the big football countries in Europe and that's okay." However, he acknowledged that Turkey and Slovakia's meeting along the road to Korea/Japan could work against his team. "Wherever you go to play football it is difficult. I respect Slovakia a lot and the Slovakian coach will know all about Turkey and Macedonia from the World Cup qualifiers. Winning tournaments is not easy, the average age of squads that do is 28 or 29. But I'm happier today than I was a year ago," he added on a positive note.

Even chance for group minnows
Meanwhile, Liechtenstein head coach Ralf Loose spoke of his pride at facing England. "We have England and Turkey, two teams competing at the World Cup, while the other two we know from previous draws," he said. "I only wish the English and Turkish coaches the best of luck. The England game will be very difficult for us. But all games start at 0-0 and we're proud to play the motherland of football."

Hristov confident