A good day for Irish soccer was made better this evening with the news that Russia had shrugged off their poor recent form to fight back from two goals down and draw 2-2 against Group 10 leaders Switzerland, in their Euro 2004 qualifier.
The result left the home side Switzerland still two clear on top, on nine points. Russia are second on seven with Ireland also on seven points after their 2-1 win over Albania this afternoon. All four have played five games.
In a hotly-contested clash striker Alexander Frei struck after 14 and 16 minutes to put the Swiss in charge and Russia heading for a third successive qualifying defeat. But Russian central defender Sergei Ignashevich then also struck twice - a header after 24 minutes and then a hotly-disputed penalty after 68.
The noisy Swiss capacity crowd in the 30,500 stadium threw a brief shower of paper plates on to the pitch and whistled their disapproval of the decision but the Russians were unmoved and hung on for a valuable point.
Meanwhile Turkey returned to the top of Euro 2004 qualifying Group Seven, which includes England, with a 1-0 away win over Slovakia thanks to a Nihat strike.
The Turks, who won their opening three games before being dethroned by a 2-0 defeat in England in April, move to 12 points from five games. England, who host Slovakia on Wednesday, are second on 10. Slovakia have six. Macedonia, who visit Turkey on Wednesday, have five after a 3-1 win over Liechtenstein.