The Red Lions attempt to get qualification progress back on track with home tie against Bosnia-Herzogevina.

Following August's 5-1 mauling by Wales in a pre-season friendly and the departure of Guy Helliers as national coach, The Red Lions must beat Bosnia-Herzogevina (ranked 57 by FIFA) tonight if they are to stand any chance of qualification to the European championships hosted by Poland and the Ukraine.

Captain Jeff Strasser, who normally plays for the Zurich Grasshoppers, will not be able to play tonight due to injury. He told 352LUXMAG  "I think it will be very difficult against Bosnia tonight. They are a very strong team. I know many of the players and they almost qualified for the World Cup, they were unlucky to lose to Portugal. IN fact I think that in 2 or 3 years they will be a very strong force in Europe."

Strasser was not certain that playing at home would be much of an advantage, " There will more likely be more Bosnian fans than home fans." The injured captain suggests that this is down to key differences in the way the sport is played and developed between the two countries. If Luxembourg are to improve Strasser claims that something must be done at grass roots, in the academies and with the development of youth in France, Germany and Belgium.

"Moving to a professional attitude and approach is the only way for the future" The sideline skipper will be there to rally the troops tonight and will hopefully return to action for the qualifier against France, played in Metz, the home of Strasser's first club. "Being injured is the worst possible thing for a player, I am finding it very difficult and incredibly frustrating. I have to wait and see what happens. I hope to be fit to train in 3 weeks. Watching from the side of a pitch can sometimes be more nerve-wracking than playing".

Former U21 Coach Luc Holz is at the helm following Helliers' desire to seek new challenges as reported in August. Holz will be hoping for a strong performance from his squad, currently languishing in the mid 100's of FIFA's ranking charts.

Holz told 352LUXMAG: "We have many injuries and this is my first official fixture as coach. I believe that the team, with the attacking threat of Joel Kitenge can ask questions of the Bosnian squad."

Group D sees Luxembourg face France, Romania, Belarus, Albania and Bosnia.

To date, Luxembourg have never qualified for an international tournament. Supporters at the Stade Josy Barthel will need to be in good voice if they are to witness a victory this evening.

Kick off is at 20:15.

Squad:
ALVES DA MOTA Daniel (F91 Dudelange), BENSI Stefano (F91 Dudelange), BETTMER Gilles (FC Differdange 03), BUKVIC Ante (FC Differdange 03), COLLETTE Dan (Jeunesse Esch), GERSON Lars (Kongsvinger Toppfotball), HOFFMANN Eric (Jeunesse Esch), JÄNISCH Mathias (FC Differdange 03), JOUBERT Jonathan (F91 Dudelange), KINTZIGER Kim (FC Differdange 03), KITENGE Joël (CS Fola Esch), LATERZA Tom (CS Sedan), MARTINO Massimo (RM Hamm Benfica), MUTSCH Mario (FC Metz), OBERWEIS Marc (eunesse Esch), PAYAL Ben (F91 Dudelange), PEDRO Joël (CS Sedan), PETERS René (Jeunesse Esch), SCHNELL Tom (Racing FC Union Luxembourg), TWIMUMU Naby (FC Swift Hesperange)

For full info go to the website: www.flf.lu