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Your support makes all the difference.Scotland and Wales, who arrived at the same point via sharply contrasting routes, must overcome formidable opposition next month in the form of the Netherlands and Russia respectively if they are to progress from the play-offs to Euro 2004 in Portugal.
While the Scots are on an upward curve after a poor start to the qualifying series, they have won none of their six meetings with the Netherlands since 1986 and have not even scored a goal.
The Scotland manager, Berti Vogts, wanted the away leg first, but his team face a Dutch side under Dick Advocaat, who was in charge of Rangers until last year, at Hampden Park on 15 November before they reconvene four days later in the Amsterdam ArenA.
Wales, having gleaned one point from their last four group fixtures after winning the opening quartet, have not met Russia since the break-up of the Soviet Union. Mark Hughes was satisfied, however, with the "advantage" of playing the second leg at the Millennium Stadium.
Scotland's tie will prompt countless television replays of Archie Gemmill's glorious slalom through the Dutch defence during the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, his goal helping towards a 3-2 triumph. The countries tangled again at Euro 92, Dennis Bergkamp scoring the winner. At Villa Park in Euro 96, a spirited rearguard action by Craig Brown's side delivered a 0-0 draw.
Vogts, a World Cup winner with Germany against the Dutch in 1974, said: "I remember Gemmill's goal, but maybe he's too old for me to pick now! It's going to be very hard, but we played very well against Germany in our group and they were big favourites. We like being underdogs. It's still just two games. Anything can happen and we have a chance.
"The Netherlands had problems in the qualifying campaign, not just in the European Championship. The pressure is on them. I live close to the Dutch border so I know their mentality and quality. Our other problem is that Advocaat is experienced in Scottish football. Maybe I'll choose the young players he doesn't know."
Saturday's 5-0 win over Moldova was the Netherlands' sixth in eight group games. But they have often choked in make-or-break matches - last month's 3-1 defeat by the Czech Republic had echoes of their losing in Dublin and failing to reach the 2002 World Cup - and few observers doubt that they will be playing for Advocaat's job.
After three years and two championships at Rangers, Advocaat is familiar with key Scotland players such as Barry Ferguson. His own side, which includes the former Celtic striker Pierre Van Hooijdonk and names like Van Nistelrooy, Stam, Davids and Kluivert, will be less of an unknown quantity to the Scots than Slovenia or Latvia would have been.
Meanwhile, Hughes was "reasonably happy" with a draw taking Wales to Moscow's Locomotiv Stadium first.
"I think everyone sees playing the second leg in Cardiff as an advantage," he said. "Russia have had some great players in the past, so we know it'll be a test. Now we must do all our research and study the videos, to make sure we know about their present team.
"My assistant, Eric Harrison, had a dream - or was it a nightmare - that we'd get Russia. He must have psychic powers, though he couldn't tell me the result. These two games could shape the future of Welsh football for the next 10 or 15 years. If we qualify, it would have a tremendous impact."
Russia reached this stage as runners-up to Switzerland in the Republic of Ireland's group. A side featuring the midfielder signed by Chelsea and immediately loaned to Portsmouth, Alexei Smertin, drew in Dublin last month, although they also lost in Albania and Georgia.
For Wales, negotiating the play-offs is likely to be a test of mental resilience as much as of playing ability. They have not qualified for a major tournament since 1958 and missed out after being well placed in 1977, '85 and '93. Since March, they have lost four and drawn one.
Five first-choices sat out Saturday's 3-2 home defeat by Serbia and Montenegro, a result which underlined the belief that only with their strongest XI can Wales hope to reach Portugal. Worryingly for Hughes, six players will miss the return match if they are booked in Moscow.
EURO 2004 PLAY-OFF DRAW
Latvia v Turkey
Scotland v Netherlands
Croatia v Slovenia
Russia v Wales
Spain v Norway
(First legs to be played 15 November. Second legs to be played 18 November)
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