02-Dec-2011
The News
KIEV: Europe’s top football nations gather in Kiev on Friday (today) to discover their fate when the draw takes place for Euro 2012 with all eyes looking out for the cliched ‘Group of Death’.
The draw takes place at the National Palace of Arts in the Ukrainian capital with a host of previous European champions set to help out to decide which teams will play where and when with the tournament set to kick-off on June 8.
Four groups made up of four sides will be drawn with a team coming from each of four pots and the draw will be beamed by 70 broadcasters to 150 countries around the world.
Co-hosts Poland and the Ukraine are both in Pot One, along with World Cup finalists Holland and holders Spain, who have to be regarded as favourites owing to their status as World and European champions.
Football powerhouses Germany, England, Italy and Russia are in Pot Two and none of the four will give their opponents an easy time in the group stages.
Former European champions Greece, who lifted the Euro 2004 title, are in Pot Three along with Portugal, Sweden and Croatia.
Denmark, Euro 2000 champions France, Ireland and the Czech Republic make up Pot Four.
Potentially, Spain, who lifted the Euro 2008 title in Vienna, could find themselves along with Greece, France and Germany, Euro ‘96 winners, in a group made up of the last four title winners.
But whatever the groups throw up, France coach Laurent Blanc has said he is just eager to avoid Germany, who along with Spain, came through their qualification campaign with the perfect record of ten wins.
The Frenchman told sports daily L’Equipe he has lit a candle with a prayer “France is not in the same Euro 2012 group as Germany”.
Since finishing third at the 2010 World Cup finals, Germany have impressed this year with friendly wins over Brazil and Holland, but coach Joachim Loew said he is in a relaxed mood.
“I have no potential dream or nightmare opponents, we know that anything is possible and we will take the draw as it comes,” said the 51-year-old.
While the Germans would no doubt like to avoid Spain, who beat them in the 2010 World Cup semifinal, the feeling is mutual.
Germany has added the extra characteristics of ‘tournament team’ and ‘battled-hardened’ to their qualities,” said Spain coach Vicente del Bosque.
Holland coach Bert van Marwijk has said the Oranje have no one to fear. The Three Lions of England will also be amongst the favourites to lift the title. |
