Sweden and Holland lined up for friendlies in 2006

The FAI has lined up two attractive home fixtures for the Irish senior team in preparation for the Euro 2008 Qualifiers which begin in autumn of next year.

Sweden visit Lansdowne Road on Wednesday 1st March. The Scandinavians will be followed by the Netherlands on 16th August.

Sweden, who are currently ranked 14th in the FIFA Rankings and have qualified for Germany 2006, last visited these shores for a friendly in April 1999 and were beaten 2 - 0 with goals from Kavanagh and Kennedy.

Ireland last played the Dutch in a friendly in the Amsterdam in June of last year when a Robbie Keane goal earned Ireland a victory.

The Dutch are currently ranked 3rd in the FIFA Rankings and they too have qualified for Germany 2006.

In the event of either Netherlands or Ireland having a competitive match on 16th August or if both teams are drawn in the same Euro 2008 Qualifying Group, then the friendly match will be rescheduled.

Ticket sales details for the two games will be announced in early January.