With co-hosts Poland and Ukraine placed in the first pot of the Euro 2012 draw, there was bound to be at least one brutally-tough group in next summer's tournament.
Group B gets the distinction as being the Group of Death, as the Netherlands, Germany, Portugal and Denmark will vie for two spots in the knockout round. All four are ranked among the top 11 teams in the world, and even though Denmark won its qualifying group, which included Portugal, the Danes are considered the underdog to make it out of the treacherous group.
Group C isn't much easier, with defending champion Spain being drawn with Italy, Croatia and Robbie Keane's Republic of Ireland. The group gives Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni the opportunity to go against his native Italy.
As for England, the Three Lions dodged being in the toughest group but still have to go up against host Ukraine, France and a Sweden side that it hasn't beaten in seven competitive meetings all-time (0-2-5).
Here are the four groups for Euro 2012:
EURO 2012 TOURNAMENT FIELD
GROUP A – Poland, Greece, Russia, Czech Republic
GROUP B – Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Portugal
GROUP C – Spain, Italy, Republic of Ireland, Croatia
GROUP D – Ukraine, Sweden, France, England
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What do you think of the draw? Which teams do you see advancing from Group B? How do you think the other groups will play out?
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