After an extravagant Eurovision styled draw in Kiev this evening it was England fans who left with smiles on their faces as they drew a more comfortable group meanwhile the Republic of Ireland face the daunting prospect of having to get past current world champions Spain and also four time world champions Italy.
England were last to be drawn out of the hat and landed in Group D, alongside Sweden, co-hosts Ukraine and France, with Ireland being drawn into Group C, with Spain, Italy and Croatia for company.
Group A turned out to be the most desired group, with Poland, Czech Republic , Russia and Greece drawn together whilst the most likely “Group of Death” would be Group B, which entails the Netherlands, their arch-rivals Germany, Portugal and Denmark.
England’s group games will all be held in the Ukraine, against France in Donetsk on 11 June, 15 June in Kiev against Sweden then back to Donetsk to face Ukraine on 19 June. Concern has however been raised by the fact that England’s training base is in Krakow, Poland, which is 930 miles from Donetsk and 540 miles from Kiev, both in the Ukraine.
Fabio Capello nevertheless said they have no concerns about the distance, stating they had a really nice place and are unlikely to move, whilst being pleased to avoid many of the major teams, reiterating how tough Germany’s group is in Group B.
The Republic of Ireland will play Croatia on 10 June in Poznan, Spain on 14 June in Gdansk and finish off in Poznan again against Italy, therefore remaining in Poland. Trappatoni will get the chance to take on his native country and acknowledged his group was tough and Ireland may face difficulties but said anything is possible in football and he is very confident whilst FIA chairman John Delaney said they were “excited for the fans and would give it a real go.”
England preparations will begin on 29 February when they take on the Netherlands in a rearranged friendly, previously called off due to the rioting in London last August.
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