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England have been handed a relatively easy group in the 2008 European Championship, while Wales will lock horns with Republic of Ireland, and Scotland have been drawn with two of Europe's big guns - Italy and France.

Northern Ireland have been handed a tough draw having been handed games against Spain, Sweden and Denmark.

New Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton has been given a stiff task as he looks to get Ireland to their first finals since the 2002 World Cup.

The Irish will tackle Wales, Germany and Czech Republic as well as Slovakia, San Marino and Cyprus.

Walter Smith's Scotland will have a feeling of deja vu after they were again paired with Italy and Faroe Islands after facing both sides in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup finals.

England, as top seeds in their group, will fancy their chances of progressing to the finals in Austria and Switzerland in 2008.

The clash with Croatia will evoke memories of England's 4-2 win over them at Euro 2004 in Portugal.

Holders Greece will be confident of qualifying after being drawn with Turkey, Norway, Malta, Moldova, Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Host nations Austria and Switzerland automatically qualify with 50 other countries vying for the remaining 14 qualifying spots.

Teams finishing first or second in each group will qualify as there will be no qualification play-offs.

Group A:
Kazakhstan
Azerbaijan
Armenia
Finland
Belgium
Serbia & Montenegro
Poland
Portugal

Group B:
Faroe Islands
Georgia
Lithuania
Scotland
Ukraine
Italy
France

Group C:
Malta
Moldova
Hungary
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Norway
Turkey
Greece

Group D:
San Marino
Cyprus
Wales
Rep of Ireland
Slovakia
Germany
Czech Republic

Group E:
Andorra
Macedonia
Estonia
Israel
Russia
Croatia
England

Group F:
Liechtenstein
Northern Ireland
Iceland
Latvia
Denmark
Spain
Sweden

Group G:
Luxembourg
Belarus
Albania
Slovenia
Bulgaria
Romania
Holland

Sky

we're f*cked

I find it astonishing that Ukraine, France and Italy were in different seeding pots. Ukraine walked their group, they were the first team to qualify for the World Cup. France won the World Cup and Euro Championships in succession a few years ago, and Italy are a major force in Europe.
Scotland's best hope maybe to spring a surprise and help one of the other teams out.
England will qualify IMO quite easily.

@ Hippo

Group D looks like a similar 'Group of Death'.

Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Wales, even Slovakia. Tough, tough group.

How come England didn't get Melchester Rovers? Or even Fulchester Rovers?

Yeah but lets face it Hippo, you could have a group consisting of San Marino, Armenia, Moldova, Andorra, Liechtenstein and Scotland and still be f*cked!

Got your Sweden, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago shirts yet Hippo?

Know I have!

do you think Scottish football fans will ever get the chance to support a side other than England's opponents in a major cup competition?

Probably not. Scotland fans always remind me of Manchester City fans, they care more about Manchester United losing than City winning.

When I was in Scotland a couple of years ago (just after Euro 2004) for a Rochdale pre-season tour, I was at Raith Rovers' ground and saw a Raith fan with a France shirt with 2-1 on the back. I just laughed at him and thought what a saddo!

It is sad when you are more concerned with your enemy being defeated because you are not good enough to actually win.
England fans would never, ever take it to those lengths!!

Heh, heh, I was just fishing. Got a laugh at your replies.

I know you were all cheering for Liverpool in the Champions League final last May, weren't you?

See the parallels?

To be honest with you, I was quite happy for Liverpool to win the Champions League last year, it's not like we haven't won it anyway (along with the league/ FA Cup that year.....)
I was actually supporting them in the second half, why be happy with the Champions League going to Italy when it can come to England?
The only problem I have with Liverpool is their fans' disgraceful behaviour at Old Trafford last week (a match I was at and witnessed first hand, and it wasn't the first time). Thankfully the result rammed it back down their throats.

I was aaaalmost believing you right up until the second paragraph.

ah nice fishing bagpuss

shame you only caught a bunch of tiddlers tho