Teams gear up for Euro 2008 draw

Teams gear up for Euro 2008 draw
England, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales find out their qualifying opponents for the 2008 European Championship on Friday. The draw for the tournament, to be held in Austria and Switzerland, takes place in Montreux, Switzerland at 1100 GMT. The two hosts nations have already qualified, and 50 other countries are vying for 14 qualifying spots. England are one of seven seeded teams for the draw - and could face any of the other home nations in their group. The six other seeded teams - who will be kept apart in the draw - are Greece, the Netherlands, Portugal, the Czech Republic, France and Sweden. Uefa has changed the format of qualifying from that used for the 2004 European Championship in Portugal. The draw will create seven groups - six including seven teams and one including eight teams. Teams finishing first or second in each group will qualify, meaning there will be no qualification play-offs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pools for Euro 2008 draw: Pool 1 (seeded teams): Greece, Netherlands, Portugal, England, Czech Republic, France, Sweden Pool 2: Germany, Croatia, Italy, Turkey, Poland, Spain, Romania Pool 3: Serbia-Montenegro, Russia, Denmark, Norway, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Slovakia Pool 4: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ireland, Belgium, Latvia, Israel, Scotland, Slovenia Pool 5: Hungary, Finland, Estonia, Wales, Lituania, Albania, Iceland Pool 6: Georgia, Macedonia, Belarus, Armenia, Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Moldova Pool 7: Liechtenstein, Azerbaijan, Andorra, Malta, Faroe Islands, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, San Marino One team from each Pool will be drawn in each of the seven groups (A-G). Pool 7 will also provide the eighth team for Group A

tHE FIRST 3 POOL'S ARE STRONG. 4 AND 5 HAVE A FEW STICKY TEAM'S ASWELL. COME ON ENGLAND !!!

Euro 2008 qualifying draw
England have been handed a favourable draw in the qualifying stages for the 2008 European Championship. But the other home countries and the Republic of Ireland face tougher tests to reach the finals in Austria and Switzerland after the draw was made in Montreux on Friday. England - under Sven-Goran Eriksson's successor - will face Croatia, Russia, Israel, Estonia, Macedonia and Andorra in Group E. Scotland face a major battle to qualify from one of the hardest groups alongside France, Italy, Ukraine, Lithuania, Georgia and the Faroe Islands. Wales and the Republic of Ireland face the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Cyprus and San Marino. Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez must also plot a difficult course to the finals after being drawn with Sweden, Spain, Denmark, Latvia, Iceland and Liechtenstein. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Group A Portugal Poland Serbia & Mont Belgium Finland Armenia Azerbaijan Kazakhstan Group B France Italy Ukraine SCOTLAND Lithuania Georgia Faroe Islands Group C Greece Turkey Norway Bosnia Hungary Moldova Malta Group D Czech Republic Germany Slovakia REP OF IRELAND WALES Cyprus San Marino Group E ENGLAND Croatia Russia Israel Estonia Macedonia Andorra Group F Sweden Spain Denmark Latvia Iceland NORTHERN IRELAND Liechtenstein Group G Holland Romania Bulgaria Slovenia Albania Belarus Luxembourg Joint hosts Austria and Switzerland qualify automatically Games start on 2 September

SWEET AS A NUT :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

England have good draw - Eriksson
Sven-Goran Eriksson says his successor will have an "easy" job of steering England to Euro 2008. The Swede will not play a part in the qualification process as he is set to leave his job after the World Cup. But, after England were drawn to play Croatia, Russia, Israel, Estonia, Macedonia and Andorra, Eriksson said: "I think it's a good draw. He added: "I think England should be happy with that draw. I'm convinced they will pass through rather easily." Asked about his successor, Eriksson added: "He should be happy with the draw and he will be, whoever it is." The Swede also said he was happy to help the Football Association with advice about how England's fixtures could be scheduled. "If they want me in the meeting talking about the fixtures, of course I will give my opinion."

Our Opponents
England must finish first or second in Group E to reach the European Championship finals in Austria and Switzerland. Here is a quick look at what the England players will be up against. Croatia Croatia are the only team in England's group also going to the World Cup this summer. They were unbeaten and finished top of a group that contained Sweden, Bulgaria and Hungary. Coach Zlatko Kranjcar has galvanised the team into a strong unit, but is also a proud father with son Niko one of the key members of the squad. The main goal threat is likely to come from Glasgow Rangers striker Dado Prso and former Aston Villa frontman Bosko Balaban. Balaban was something of a flop in the Premiership, but has since resurrected his career at Bruges, while Prso averages a goal every other game in Scotland. World ranking: 20 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Russia Finished third in their World Cup group which was something of a disappointment. Trailing Portugal was no disgrace, but they were also beaten by Slovakia. Coach Yuri Semin then stepped down in November in the wake of their failure to make it to Germany. Captain Alexei Smertin has proved himself in the Premiership with Portsmouth and Charlton, while Dmitri Loskov is the main goal scorer. World ranking: 34 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Israel Israel were impressive in qualification for the World Cup Finals, even though they eventually finished third behind France and Switzerland. Attacking midfielder Yossi Benayoun has been a consistent performer in the Premiership with West Ham this season, while Tal Ben Haim has been solid in defence for Bolton. World ranking: 44 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Estonia Finished fourth in their World Cup group behind Portugal, Slovakia and Russia. Their most famous player is goalkeeper Mart Poom who is now third choice behind Jens Lehmann and Manuel Almunia at Arsenal, although he has also been ousted from the national team by Artur Kotenko. Striker Andres Oper is quick and plies his trade in Holland with Roda. World ranking: 76 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Macedonia Took just nine points from 12 World Cup qualifiers in a group containing Holland, Czech Republic, Romania and Finland. Georgi Hristov is the one recognisable name, mainly for the fact he once angered the female population of Barnsley when he played for the town's team when he branded them all ugly. World ranking: 87 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andorra The tiny mountainous nation, nestled between France and Spain, finished bottom of the World Cup group that also included Macedonia. They do have some of the biggest names in world football, but unfortunately for them their Ayala, Vieira and Pujol are not the ones who play for Valencia, Juventus and Barcelona. World ranking: 126

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