Group A: Poland, Greece, Russia, Czech
Republic
Group B: Holland, Denmark, Germany,
Portugal
Group C: Spain, Italy, Republic of
Ireland, Croatia
Group D: Ukraine, Sweden, France,
England
The Three Lions, who have been cut from odds of 12-1 to 10-1 to
win next summer's finals, were yesterday drawn in Group D along
with France, Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine.
But the England boss admitted he was panicking at the prospect
of being placed in Group B which ended up with Holland, Denmark,
Germany and Portugal.
Capello said: "There was a terrible moment while I waited
because Group B was really strong.
"After we got past that, groups C and D were difficult, but
Group B was strongest.
"I'm happy because I know all the teams. They're all very good
and play well and they'll be difficult games.
"The most difficult will be the first one against France on June
11 because the first game is always hardest with the pressure.
"The result of that game will be really important. But the most
important thing will be the players who will stay with me here in
Poland and Ukraine and that they'll be at the top of their
form.
"The first game will be difficult and the last one against the
hosts is tough.
"But all the games in this tournament will be difficult because
the levels of the teams will be very high."
The big blow is England will play all their group games in
Ukraine — despite being based in the Polish city of Krakow.
England's opener will be in Donetsk. They then play Sweden in
Kiev on Friday, June 15 and return to Donetsk for their match
against Ukraine on Tuesday, June 19. The draw was not kind to the
Republic of Ireland, though.
Their odds of winning the competition went right out to 100-1
after they were matched with Spain, Italy and Croatia.
Group A was dubbed the 'Group of Life' with any of Poland,
Greece, Russia and the Czech Republic capable of making it
through.
