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‘Group of Death’ looms for Three Lions

Comment: 0 November 17th, 2011 by: admin

THE so-called ‘Group of Death’ hovers like a plague in any football draw and England could be in this bunch after the draw is made for the Euro 2012.

In a worst case scenario for the Three Lions, they could end up with Spain, Portugal and France.

After hurdling the qualifying, England found themselves in the second group of seeds in the company of Euro 2008 runners-up Germany, 2006 world champions Italy and Russia.

Spain, the current world and European champions, are in pot one together with beaten 2010 World Cup finalists the Netherlands, co-hosts Poland and Ukraine, who have been assigned to groups A and D respectively.

Ireland are in the fourth group of seeds alongside Denmark, the Czech republic and France. The Irish won’t face the French, who eliminated them during a controversial World Cup qualification playoff two years ago.

Included in the third group of seeds are Portugal, Croatia, Greece and Sweden.

Competing in the Euro 2012 are 16 teams divided into four groups. The much-awaited draw will be held in Kiev on December 2.

Aside from the ‘Group of Death,’ observers said there is a possibility that a ‘Group of Debt’ composed of Spain, Greece, Italy and Ireland could be formed, referring to debt-stricken Eurozone-member countries.

While Poland and Ukraine were placed into one pot, the other competing nations are allocated according to FIFA’s rankings which grade countries according to competitive qualifying and tournament results for Euro 2008, the 201 World Cup and Euro 2012.

The UEFA, Europe’s governing body in football, does not weigh results from friendlies, unlike the FIFA.

Coach Fabio Capello’s men will be based in Krakow, Poland, and insiders said they prefer to be grouped alongside Poland, Greece and the Czech Republic.

Euro 2012 hostilities will be held from June 8 to July 1.

 

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