The Euro 2012 draw is finally here, and what a tournament it poses to be. One host will be rather happy, whilst the other drew two European football giants. The 'Group of Death' presents three recent championship winners, with the World and European champions finding themselves in a tricky predicament. 188 days to go until one of the most anticipated European championships to date.
Group A: Poland, Greece, Russia, Czech Republic
Co-hosts Poland welcome the best of eastern Europe to group A, with Greece and Russia qualifying top for automatic qualification, while Czech Republic had to hurdle Montenegro on their way to the Euro 2012 finals. The lack of football powerhouses in this group suggests the evenness across the four teams, however Russia (12) and Greece (14) will be the favourites to go through on the basis of FIFA ranking. The two favourites are the only two from the group that have won the European championships since its inception, Russia as the former USSR in its inaugural competition in 1960, and Greece, in a fairytale story as the hosts in 2004. Poland will open the tournament against Greece in the historic Polish capital of Warsaw, while Wroclaw will welcome Russia and the Czech Republic.
Group B: Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Portugal
Group B will be touted as the famous 'Group of Death', with all four nations featuring in the top 15 of the FIFA world rankings. Coincidentally, the period between Euro '88 and '96 were sequentially won by three of the teams, Netherlands (1988), Denmark (1992) and Germany (1996). Portugal should not be discounted however, as they fell just short in 2004 when they played bridesmaid to hosts Greece. Germany will open their tournament campaign against Portugal, whilst Denmark will take on World Cup finalist Netherlands. The cities of Kharkiv and Lviv will provide a warm welcome to household names such as Ronaldo, Wesley Sneijder and Mesut Ozil. Fans will eagerly anticipate the mouth watering encounter between old rivals Netherlands and Germany, which will provide some pulsating football for the world to witness.
Group C: Spain, Italy, Ireland, Croatia
The reigning World and European Champions will not escape the group without a challenge, however, the Republic of Ireland will be cursing their luck, their preordained fate commonly referred to as 'the luck of the Irish' evident here, drawing the 1st, 8th and 9th best teams in the world. Croatia and Ireland both qualified comfortably, despite having to go the long route through the playoff procedure. Spain opens their campaign in Gdansk, Poland, also touted as the 'Polish riviera' against the ever-present Italy, who despite their prominence, have not won the tournament since 1968. The match up will provide contrasting styles, with Spain's 'tiki-taka' brand sternly tested against the customary defensive style the Italians have forever possessed. Poznan will provide the euphoria for the opening battle of east versus west of Europe, Croatia against the Republic of Ireland.
Group D: Ukraine, Sweden, France, England
Co-host Ukraine drew the short straw, now having wished they were placed in the group A pot after France, England and Sweden were drawn alongside them. The English have escaped facing anybody ranked above them in the group stages, however their opening game against France in Donetsk, a game which Wayne Rooney is certain to miss, will be much more than just a cross-channel rivalry. Sweden have presented a tough test to England in the past, their automatic qualification as the 'best' runner-up indicative of what they can produce on the European scene. England fans may be content with the draw, however not is all smooth for those that wear the three lions proudly; It will take 2 days to cover over 5,000 miles by car, for those that wish to drive, with one star hostel accomodation starting at over £500 pounds a night. The hosts will open their campaign against Sweden in the Ukraine capital, Kyiv.
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