The draw for the qualifying rounds of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa were held in Durban on Sunday, with Russia being placed in a group with Germany, Wales, Finland, Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein. Russia`s Group Five sees the side, who qualified for Euro 2008 on November 21, face tough matches home and away against Germany, as well as a chance to renew their acquaintance with Wales. Russia will have fond memories of their Euro 2004 play-off trip to Cardiff in November 2003 when they earned a place at the tournament`s final stages with a 1-0 victory following a goalless draw in Moscow. The first placed team in each group earns an automatic place at the 2010 World Cup, while the best eight second-placed teams will play off against each other. There are nine groups in total in the European zone. Russia`s Dutch trainer, Guus Hiddink, refused to comment on Sunday`s draw. His contract is set to run until after the 2010 World Cup. Africa will host the tournament for the first time. Other groups saw currently-managerless England again placed with Croatia, the side that dumped them out of Euro 2008 on Wednesday, while South and North Korea are set to face each other in a potentially explosive derby in the competition`s Asian qualifying zone. The European zone qualifying fixtures kick off in September 2008.