England drawn alongside France, Ukraine and Sweden in Euro 2012 Group D

Three Lions avoid Group of Death as Republic of Ireland given tough draw against Spain & Italy in Group C, whilst Germany face Netherlands in Group B

2 Dec 2011 17:45:00

By Miles Chambers

More On :  Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine
Fabio Capello,UEFA EURO 2012 Final Draw Ceremony
Getty Images

England have been drawn in Group D for the Euro 2012 finals alongside France, Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine.

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Three Lions coach Fabio Capello will no doubt be delighted to have avoided 2010 World Cup finalists Spain and Netherlands, but will be aware his side face a stern test when the tournament gets under way in June.

England recently defeated Sweden in a 1-0 friendly victory at Wembley in November, their first victory over the Scandinavian side in 43 years.

Capello’s men last faced France in November 2010 when they were humbled 1-0 at home, and the Italian coach will be eager to taste victory when the two side's meet for their opening game of the competition on June 11.

England were the last team to be drawn on the evening and will play all their group games in the Ukraine, despite planning to be based in Poland.

Group B will be seen by many as the Group of Death, containing 2010 World Cup runners-up Netherlands, Germany, Portugal and Denmark.

The Germans and the Dutch huge rivalry will no doubt lead to their meeting being one of the most anticipated games of the tournament, although a Portugal side led by Cristiano Ronaldo will be keen to build on their play-off victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina.

In Group A co-hosts Poland have been pitted against Russia, Greece and Czech Republic.

Greece were surprise winners of the Euro 2004 tournament, defeating Portugal on home soil to secure the trophy.

On paper the group is the least competitive, but Russia have won the Euros once (as the Soviet Union) in 1960; Czech Republic also won the trophy (as Czechoslovakia) in 1976 and more recently reached the finals of Euro 1996 when they were beaten by Germany.

Republic of Ireland fans will feel hard-done-by having been drawn in Group C alongside reigning World Cup European champions Spain, as well as Italy and Croatia.

The Irish last qualified for a major tournament in the 2002 World Cup when they were managed by current Wolves boss Mick McCarthy, and qualified for next summer's competition by beating Estonia 5-1 in a two-legged play-off after finishing second in their qualifying group.

Spain also face Slaven Bilic's Croatia side, who will no doubt prove to be difficult opposition, just as will 2006 World Cup winners Italy.

The tournament kicks off on June 8 in Poland's capital Warsaw before concluding in Ukraine’s largest city Kiev on July 1.

Below are the four qualifying groups in full.


 EURO2012
 THE GROUP STAGES
GROUP A
 1 Poland
 2 Greece
 3 Russia
 4 Czech Republic
GROUP B
 1 Netherlands
 2 Denmark
 3 Germany
 4 Portugal
GROUP C
 1 Spain
2 Italy
3
 Republic of Ireland
4
 Croatia
GROUP D
1 Ukraine
2
 Sweden
3
 France
4
 England



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