All eyes on Kiev for Euro 2012 finals draw
Europe's top football nations gather in Kiev on Friday 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. "The European Championships involve the top teams and is an
attractive tournament, there won't be any easy games either in the group
stages or the knock-out games.
"If Euro 2012 was starting tomorrow, I would be pleased. But a lot
can change in football in six months."
While the Germans would no doubt like to avoid Spain, who beat them
in the 2010 World Cup semi-final, 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.
And he has also warned against Spanish complacency. AFP |