• Euro 2012

England avoid Germany in Euro draw

ESPN staff
November 16, 2011
Fabio Capello's England are in Pot 2 for the Euro 2012 draw © Getty Images
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England will avoid old rivals Germany in the group stages of Euro 2012 after UEFA confirmed the seedings for next summer's tournament.

Fabio Capello's men are alongside Euro 2008 runners-up Germany, 2006 world champions Italy and Russia in the second pot.

Reigning world and European champions Spain are in the top group of seeds, alongside 2010 World Cup finalists Netherlands plus co-hosts Poland and Ukraine, who have already been allocated to groups A and D respectively.

Republic of Ireland, whose qualification for the finals was confirmed on Tuesday night, are in the fourth group of seeds alongside Denmark, Czech Republic and France. That means they cannot face rance, who knocked them out in a controversial World Cup qualification play-off two years ago.

However, perhaps the most daunting outcome of the draw, which will take place on December 2 in Kiev, would be a group containing Spain, Portugal and France.

As well as that potential 'Group of Death' , there is also the possibility of a 'Group of Debt' made up of ailing Eurozone members Spain, Italy, Greece and Ireland.

A more palatable group for Capello's team might be to be drawn against Poland - with England having already confirmed they will be based in Krakow - Greece and the Czechs.

Seedings for Euro 2012
Pot 1: Spain, Netherlands, Poland*, Ukraine*.
Pot 2: Italy, Germany, Russia, England
Pot 3: Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Sweden
Pot 4: Denmark, France, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland

* Poland already allocated to Group A, Ukraine already allocated to Group D

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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