The Euro 2020 draw: Good news for England, ‘Group of Death’ for N. Ireland

The Euro 2020 qualifying groups have been decided with the British sides all feeling mixed emotions about their luck in the draw. 

Gareth Southgate’s England found themselves placed into Group A where they will face the Czech Republic en route to the Euro finals in two years time.

Group A also contains Bulgaria, Montenegro and Kosovo with Southgate’s squad surely feeling that qualification to the Euros is a real possibility.

The Group stages will start in March and run until November 2019. Each group will see both the winner and the runner-up qualify for the main competition the following summer.

England, Portugal, the Netherlands and Switzerland have all been placed into a five-team group due to their involvement in the Nations League semi-finals next summer.

The Euro 2020 qualifying period is shorter due to the Nations League group games prior to the group stages.

Both England and Scotland are guaranteed a place in the Euro 2020 playoffs even if they finish outside of the top two of their respective groups due to winner their Nations League groups.

Who did the British Isles get in the draw?

Elsewhere, Northern Ireland will feel slightly miffed at the prospect of facing both Germany – who England could have had in Group A but avoided – and the in-form Netherlands in Group C, leaving Michael O’Neill’s men knowing they will need to get a result or two against the two European giants.

It isn’t too easy for any of the other British Isles nations, with the Republic of Ireland, Wales and Scotland all knowing they will have to beat considerable opposition to make their way to the finals in just under two years time.

ROI will face tough games in Group D against Switzerland and Denmark, both of whom enjoyed varying success in Russia this summer at the Fifa World Cup. The group is complete with Georgia and Gibraltar.

Ryan Giggs will know that Croatia will cause problems for his Wales side, whilst Group E rivals Slovakia and Hungary won’t make life easy for Gareth Bale and co. Lastly, Azerbaijan completes the group.

For Scotland – who seem to be playing some exciting football of late – they face Belgium – who finished third in Russia – and the hosts themselves who surprised everyone by reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup, claiming victories over the likes of Spain.

The groups

Group A: England, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Kosovo.

Group B: Portugal, Ukraine, Serbia, Lithuania, Luxembourg.

Group C: Netherlands, Germany, Northern Ireland, Estonia, Belarus.

Group D: Switzerland, Denmark, Republic of Ireland, Georgia, Gibraltar.

Group E: Croatia, Wales, Slovakia, Hungary, Azerbaijan.

Group F: Spain, Sweden, Norway, Romania, Faroe Islands, Malta.

Group G: Poland, Austria, Israel, Slovenia, Macedonia, Latvia.

Group H: France, Iceland, Turkey, Albania, Moldova, Andorra.

Group I: Belgium, Russia, Scotland, Cyprus, Kazakhstan, San Marino.

Group J: Italy, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Finland, Greece, Armenia, Liechtenstein.

The post The Euro 2020 draw: Good news for England, ‘Group of Death’ for N. Ireland appeared first on Squawka News.

From Squawka NewsSquawka News https://ift.tt/2PgOj5A