Let’s have a closer look at Ireland’s opponents, who will not be exactly thrilled with drawing Ireland either. England play Russian Federation in their opener on the same day, 11 June.
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After a shaky start to qualification that saw coach Fabio Capello leave, CSKA Moscow manager Leonid Slutsky took charge of the national team on a part-time basis while still managing his club.
Then came Belgium boss Marc Wilmots, reverting to the stereotype of labelling Ireland a “long-ball team”. It does not matter who you play.
While Sweden, who like Ireland qualified via the play-offs, can be seen as the weaker of the three they will have Zlatan Ibrahimovic to inspire them in what is likely to be his last tournament.
At least Sweden coach Erik Hamren had the decency to say he was impressed by Ireland’s performance against the Germans.
Indeed, at Italia ’90, with its 24-team format, Ireland themselves made the last 16 after drawing all three group games.
Grouped with England, Wales and Slovakia, Russia face a tough battle to qualify from the group stages.
“Poland and Germany showed what they are capable of in qualifying”. The aerial threat of Marouane Fellaini will also cause teams plenty of problems. The first match against Italy probably will be the hardest.
Roy Hodgson has been given the backing of the Football Association to take the England team through to the 2018 World Cup. “It’ll be two British teams going at it and it will be an exciting game”. There can also be question marks over the Belgian defence.
Five days before their clash on June 16 in Lens, Roy Hodgson’s side face Russian Federation, while Wales play Slovakia in their group openers.
“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”. They reached the final in 2000, losing to France with that famous David Trezeguet golden goal.
O’Neill’s side were placed in the same group as world champions Germany, Poland and Ukraine at the draw in Paris on Saturday.
FC’s Gab Marcotti discusses Italy’s Euro 2016 draw with Antonio Conte.
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“(Leonid) Slutsky has done extremely well since taking over and has got them winning again.
