FOOTBALL: NI Euro fixtures confirmed
NORTHERN Ireland will start their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with a trip to Slovenia in September.
Breaking with tradition the first game is on a Friday, as are half the qualifiers, with no matches on a Saturday.
That will be followed a month later with an eagerly-awaited home game against Italy.
Nigel Worthington's side will also round off their campaign against the world champions.
Northern Ireland have opted to play three of their first four games away from Belfast in the hope of an easier run-in.
The only Wednesday fixture comes against the Faroe Islands in Belfast in August next year.
The opener against Slovenia, brings together old foes. Northern Ireland faced them during their World Cup campaign.
Although they won 1-0 at Windsor Park, Northern Ireland lost the earlier fixture away 2-0.
Slovenia wnet on to finish runners-up in the group and then defeated Russia in the play-offs to secure a place at the World Cup finals this summer in South Africa.
Slovenia, who finished runners-up in Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifying group, will provide a stern opening test.
It is a tough group for Northern Ireland with Serbia and Italy also set to compete in South Africa.
NORTHERN IRELAND EURO 2012 FIXTURES
2010
September 3: Slovenia v Northern Ireland
October 8: Northern Ireland v Italy
October 12: Faroe Islands v Northern Ireland
2011
March 25: Serbia v Northern Ireland
March 29: Northern Ireland v Slovenia
August 10: Northern Ireland v Faroe Islands
September 2: Northern Ireland v Serbia
September 6: Estonia v Northern Ireland
October 7: Northern Ireland v Estonia
October 11: Italy v Northern Ireland
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
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