Easy for England as France and Italy face group of death
Whoever is named as Sven-Goran Eriksson’s successor will have to steer the Euro 2004 quarter-finalists through Group E, where they will face Russia for the first time in a competitive international.
In what looks a relatively kind group, England will also be rubbing shoulders with Croatia, first round rivals in Portugal two years ago, Israel, Estonia, and minnows Macedonia and Andorra.
Eriksson, who is standing down after the World Cup, reflected: “I think the man coming after me will be happy with this draw.
“There are more difficult groups. We know Croatia so that’s good for England. Russia is not easy of course and Israel will be interesting.”
England goalkeeper coach Ray Clemence also welcomed what looked like a favourable draw.
“We beat Croatia 4-2 at Euro 2004,” he recalled. “They are quite good going forward but always vulnerable at the back, you never know what to expect from them.
“We have not played Russia or Estonia before and Israel are an improving nation, that will be a tough game out there.
“It won’t be easy but I think we will be relatively happy with the draw.”
Group B is arguably the dream group as it sees France taking on Italy for the first time since the Euro 2000 final which the French, under Roger Lemerre, won with a golden goal from David Trezeguet.
These two heavyweights were joined by Ukraine, who sailed through their World Cup qualifying group, Scotland, Lithuania, Georgia and the Faroe Islands.
France coach Raymond Domenech was philosophical about the task set for the 1998 World Cup winners.
“Every group is difficult,” he said.
“On a personal level I’m happy to be facing Italy, they’re always intense encounters, and we haven’t played them for some time.
“But today my only focus is on the World Cup, and July 9 (the date of the final).”
Like Domenech, Italy manager Marcello Lippi also had his mind on events closer to home.
“It’s a tough group with teams boasting great traditions like France, but for now our attention is entirely concentrated on the World Cup.”
Ukraine’s Oleg Blokhin added: “It was useless expecting an easy draw.
“All the qualifying groups are really strong with three or four serious challengers and it will be tough to get the right to play in the finals.”
Scotland boss Walter Smith was hardly rubbing his hands with delight at the prospect of taking on France, Ukraine and the Italians, who were in their World Cup qualifying group.
“It’s an extremely difficult task. We played well against Italy in Milan (World Cup qualifier lost 0-2) and drew 1-1 at Hampden.
“In the World Cup we were always catching up so we need to get off to a good start.”
Defending European champions Greece are in Group C where the shock 2004 winners’ rivals include the 2002 World Cup semi-finalists and neighbours Turkey along with Norway.
The man who masterminded Greece’s transformation from also-rans to champions, Otto Rehhagel, said he was satisfied with the draw.
“We know that as defending champions, everyone wants to beat us,” said the veteran German coach.
Asked about the prospect of facing Turkey, Greece’s longstanding regional sparring partner on the political front, Rehhagel said: “There will be a lot of emotion involved.”
The two nations met in qualifying for the World Cup, and Rehhagel reflected: “Both those matches ended 0-0, and they were fair and clean.”
Portugal, beaten in the 2004 final on home turf by the Greeks are in Group A, where the opposition is headed by Poland.
Perennial underachievers on the world stage Spain were drawn in Group F, which also includes Sweden, Denmark, and Northern Ireland.
The Netherlands face, among others, Romania and Bulgaria in Group G.
The qualifying matches get underway in September and run until November 2007, when a total of 14 teams will have qualified for the finals, joining hosts Austria and Switzerland.
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