All the focus may be on Wales being drawn in the same group as England, but the opportunity to get one over on Russian Federation will also inspire Coleman to seek revenge for the controversial and agonising Euro 2004 play-off defeat.
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Belgium and Italy were pitted against each other in the “Group of Death” while hosts France will kick off the 24-team tournament against Romania on June 10, according to the draw of the Euro 2016 football tournament.
‘We have had a number of our players not available through injury.
FA chief executive Martin Glenn said ahead of the draw that Hodgson is “our man” for the World Cup in 2018, but another poor performance at a major championship could change the thinking.
“It will be a match that excites, certainly the British public will be excited by it and playing in Lens in northern France in a tight and compact stadium we are going to get a very British atmosphere as well”.
‘Naturally, you’re talking about Italy, who are effectively a Pot One team. They have so much experience and just seem to know how to qualify.
It was 2004 and striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic hit an 85th minute equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw and rob the Azzurri of a possible three points in their penultimate group game. “Sweden in the first game is something to look forward to”. Roy has had two tournaments, he was very early for the first Euros and then he has had the World Cup, he has learned a lot and he has great global experience.
‘I have a certain experience of that happening and disrupting your plans – Chris has been able to put together a more settled team than us.
The Republic of Ireland are the low card of the group, but they’re far from an easy win.
Former Juventus boss Conte had earlier said: ‘It’s an interesting draw.
“But they will also be up against it because, if we perform the way we can, it will be a tough game, that’s for sure”.
O’Neill accepts they will have to upset the odds to make an impact in France, but they have already done so by topping their qualifying group.
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Northern Ireland have a tough task after being drawn in Group C with world champions Germany, Poland and Ukraine, while Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland side may have an even more daunting tournament having to face Belgium, now top of the Federation Internationale de Football Association world rankings, Italy and Sweden in Group E.
