Republic of Ireland handed tough Euro 2016 qualifying group

Martin O'Neill's Republic of Ireland team will face some strong sides as they aim to qualify for the Euro 2016 Championship.

Sun, 23 Feb, 2014 - 12:05

Martin O'Neill's Republic of Ireland team will face some strong sides as they aim to qualify for the Euro 2016 Championship.

In a typically cringeworthy ceremony in Nice, France, the Boys in Green drew Germany, Poland, Scotland, Georgia and Gibraltar in Qualifying Group D.

Gibraltar, UEFA’s newest member, were originally drawn to Group C with Spain but were switched to D for political reasons.

Ex-@ScottishFA Christian Dailly: "It's a really tough group. On paper it looks one of the toughest groups Scotland could've had." #EURO2016
— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) February 23, 2014

The top two teams from each group plus the third-placed team with the best record qualify automatically for the finals.

The remaining eight third-placed teams will contest play-offs.

Qualifiers to be played between September 7, 2014 and October 13, 2015.

Play-off matches to be played in November 2015.

Ireland should get a friendly welcome in Georgia after getting game moved away in 2008 - they were still angry about it last year
— Daniel McDonnell (@McDonnellDan) February 23, 2014

This will be the first European Championships with 24 teams and there has been criticism and suggestions that the expanded number of teams will dilute the quality of the tournament.

France qualify as hosts, but will play friendlies against teams in Group I.

There will be no points awarded for games in which France figure, so these will have no affect on the Group I table.

In case you missed it here is the #EURO2016 qualifying draw in full. Reaction to follow here - http://t.co/JYDivUcMtS pic.twitter.com/WlShl4uAG8
— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) February 23, 2014

Group A

Holland

Czech Republic

Turkey

Latvia

Iceland

Kazakhstan

Group B

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Belgium

Israel

Wales