Swiss roll past Russia

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Points
	Switzerland	8	4	3	1	15	11	15
	Russia	8	4	2	2	19	12	14
	Rep. of Ireland	8	3	2	3	10	11	11
	Albania	8	2	2	4	11	15	8
	Georgia	8	2	1	5	8	14	7

Suffering from a World Cup hangover, Ireland got off to a very slow start in Group 10, losing away to Russia and at home to Switzerland to effectively end their chances of qualifying for Euro 2004.

Brian Kerr's side could only ever make the play-off spot given to second place as Switzerland, unbeaten in their first six games, opened up a healthy advantage at the top of the group.

The Swiss run was brought to a crunching halt by a 4-0 reverse in Moscow with an improving Russia - who had earlier lost to Georgia and Albania - pulling themselves back into contention. 

However Switzerland's 2-0 victory in Basle over the Republic of Ireland on the last day was enough to win them the group and, with Russia winning in Moscow, relegated the Irish to third in the table.

Goals either side of half-time from Hakan Yakin and Alexander Frei sent the Swiss through to their first major finals for eight years whilst Russia secured their place in November's play-offs by coming from behind at home to beat last-placed Georgia 3-1 with strikes from Dmitry Bulykin, Yegor Titov and Dmitry Sychev.