Sixteen national football teams qualified for Euro 2012, and today (Friday, December 2nd, 2011) they were drawn into four groups of four. Poland and Ukraine were given top seeds as the holders, while the Netherlands and Spain were top seeds on merit. The four second seeds were England, Germany, Italy and Russia. The third seeds were the Czech Republic, Portugal, Croatia and France. The fourth seeds were Denmark, Greece, Republic of Ireland and Sweden.
Euro 2012 Fourth Seeds Were Drawn First
Greece were the first team drawn out, and so they were paired with Poland, as they had been allocated to Group A. Denmark were drawn out second, and paired with the Netherlands; the Dutch had been allocated to Group B. The Republic of Ireland were drawn third, and went into Group C with defending European and World Champions, Spain. That meant Sweden went into Group D with Ukraine.
Euro 2012 Third Seeds Were Drawn Next
Czech Republic were the first third seed drawn out, and went into Group A with Poland and Greece. Portugal were drawn next, and so went into Group B with the Netherlands and Denmark. Croatia were drawn next, and so went into a group C with Spain and the Republic of Ireland. That meant France were drawn into Group D with Ukraine and Sweden.
Euro 2012 Second Seeds Prospects
With only the second seed teams remaining, some of the groups were already looking tough, while others looked relatively easy on paper.
There were no footballing giants in Group A; but Group B had three nations that have a strong European Championships pedigree, topped by the Netherlands, who have once again become a major force to be reckoned with.
Group C looked relatively tough, with Spain, who are the world number one at the moment, and two difficult sides in Croatia and Ireland. Group D looked easier, with Ukraine the weakest of the top seeds on paper, and France and Sweden struggling to find the form that has made them serious contenders in the past.
Euro 2012 Second Seeds Draw
Russia was the first second seed drawn, and so went into Group A, making it look the weakest on paper. Germany were drawn into Group B, and that meant the group will definitely be considered the Euro 2012 'group of death'.
Italy were drawn into Group C, meaning that the Ireland coach, Giovanni Trapattoni, will face his country in an intriguing group. That left England to be drawn out into Group D, which seems a group of medium strength, similar to Group C.
The Four Euro 2012 Groups
Group A: Poland, Russia, Czech Republic and Greece
Group B: Netherlands, Germany, Portugal and Denmark
Group C: Spain, Italy, Croatia and Ireland
Group D: Ukraine, England, France and Sweden
Poland v Greece kicks off Euro 2012 on June 8th, and the final is on July 1st. Euro 2012 Fixtures.
Marc Latham - Doctor of Philosophy and experienced freelance writer searching for truth and meaning, and reporting it in clear and concise copy.
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