“We understand the hype but we’re just as excited about playing Russian Federation and Slovakia”, said Hodgson.
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Germany boss Joachim Loew said his team would be foolish to under-estimate Ukraine and Northern Ireland in their Euro 2016 group even if their clash with Poland is the key to Group C.
More than 100,000 fans from the United Kingdom and Ireland are expected to travel to France, with supporters of Wales and Northern Ireland relishing their first chance to attend a finals tournament in 58 and 30 years respectively. “We’ve got some good young, exciting players”.
“Belgium are a great team with outstanding players”, Italy coach Antonio Conte said, while Belgium coach Marc Wilmots was equally wary, saying “it’s the most hard opponents we could have”.
The Three Lions, who won all of their 10 qualifying games, take on the Dragons, who are appearing in their first major championship since 1958.
Group E: Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Republic of Ireland. “But it is a top draw, so it is something to look forward to”. Ireland’s opening game with Sweden will be crucial as both sides will be battling it out for a possible best third place finish in the group.
Roy Hodgson will chalk up 40 years in coaching on January 1 but has no intention of calling it a day and has his sights set on taking England to the 2018 World Cup.
How they qualified for Euro 2016: Belgium pipped Wales to pole position in Group B. Despite a slow start, they finished their campaign on a high with four straight victories.
He also suggested being a top seed wasn’t overly beneficial, saying: “There’s no advantage being in pot one other than avoiding teams like Spain and Germany”.
“At the end of the draw the chief executive said to me, “Well you have to beat Germany if you want to win the tournament”, and of course that was slightly tongue in cheek, but everybody’s looking forward to it”.
The Republic of Ireland are the low card of the group, but they’re far from an easy win.
Delegates were met by tight security at the Palais des Congress but one man notable by his absence was UEFA president Michel Platini, architect of the biggest-ever expanded 24-team finals that will run from June 10 to July 10.
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“Whatever we say or do, once the referee’s whistle goes it’ll come down to what those 22 players can do out on the pitch”.
