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Euro 2016: Qualifying Groups in Full

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    LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19:  Wayne Rooney of England evades Toni Kroos of Germany during the international friendly match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium on November 19, 2013 in London, England.  (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Only a few moments ago, the qualifying groups were drawn in Nice for the 2016 European Championships that are set to be held in two years' time in France.

Nine groups were drawn, eight containing six teams and one containing five, with all five home nations represented.

The qualifying groups for Euro 2016 are as follows...

1. Group A - Netherlands, Czech Republic, Turkey, Latvia, Iceland, Kazakhstan.

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - OCTOBER 11:  Robin van Persie of Holland scores their fifth goal during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifing match between Holland and Hungary at Amsterdam Arena on October 11, 2013 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.  (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) 

A relatively tough group for the smaller teams in group one as the likes of the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Turkey will likely fight it out for the top three spots in the group.

Iceland, who almost qualified for the World Cup, could pose a threat to the bigger nations, while Latvia and Kazakhstan seem to be the group's whipping boys.

2. Group B - Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium, Israel, Wales, Cyprus, Andorra.

ST LOUIS, MO - NOVEMBER 18:  Edin Dzeko #11 of Bosnia-Herzegovina reacts during the international friendly match between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Argentina at Busch Stadium on November 18, 2013 in St Louis, Missouri.  (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)  

Wales face a tough group in what will be a bid to qualify for their first ever major tournament. Belgium and Bosnia look on paper to qualify in the two automatic spaces, but Israel could pose a threat to Gareth Bale and co for the play-off place.

Cyprus and Andorra shouldn't cause too much trouble, but it seems as though Wales will need to be on top form if they are to make it to Euro 2016.

3. Group C - Spain, Ukraine, Slovakia, Belarus, Macedonia, Luxembourg.

FORTALEZA, BRAZIL - JUNE 27:  David Silva of Spain in action during the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 Semi Final match between Spain and Italy at Castelao on June 27, 2013 in Fortaleza, Brazil.  (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) 

Current holders Spain have been handed a fairly straightforward qualifying group ahead of Euro 2016, a competition that they will be hoping to win for an historic third consecutive time.

Ukraine and Slovakia will be left to battle it out for the second automatic place, while Belarus could prove to be a dark horse.

4. Group D - Germany, Republic of Ireland, Poland, Scotland, Georgia, Gibraltar.

MILAN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 15:  Mesut Oezil of Germany runs during the International Friendly match between Italy and Germany at San Siro Stadium on November 15, 2013 in Milan, Italy.  (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images) 

A home nation derby as the Republic of Ireland will face off against Scotland in what will probably be a fight for third place in this group and entrance into the play-offs.

Germany and Poland seem to be favourites to qualify automatically from group D and the Tartan army have been handed a tricky qualifying campaign once again.

5. Group E - England, Switzerland, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, San Marino.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19:  Phil Jagielka of England in action during the international friendly match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium on November 19, 2013 in London, England.  (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) 

A favourable group for England sees the Three Lions face off against Switzerland and Slovenia, who will be the only real competition in the quest to make it to France for the summer of 2016.

The likes of Estonia, Lithuania and San Marino should be dealt with fairly easily and as long as Roy Hodgson's men keep it simple, then we will be watching England at the European Championships in two summers' time.

6. Group F - Greece, Hungary, Romania, Finland, Northern Ireland, Faroe Islands.

BUCHAREST, ROMANIA - NOVEMBER 19:  Konstantinos Mitroglou of Greece in action during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier Play-off Second Leg match between Romania and Greece at the National Arena on November 19, 2013 in Bucharest, Romania.  (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) 

An extremely tough group for Northern Ireland as Hungary, Romania and Greece will be strong opponents. One would expect the Greek and Romanian sides to make the automatic qualifying spots, but Hungary have been steadily impressing over the past few years.

It is not impossible for Northern Ireland, but this is certainly no walk in the park, with tough opposition a plenty.

7. Group G - Russia, Sweden, Austria, Montenegro, Moldova, Liechtenstein.

WARSAW, POLAND - JUNE 16:  Andrey Arshavin of Russia in action during the UEFA EURO 2012 group A match between Greece and Russia at The National Stadium on June 16, 2012 in Warsaw, Poland.  (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)  

Group G has an Eastern European feel to it, with trips to Moldova, Liechtenstein, Montengro and Russia for Sweden and Austria.

Russia will be favourites to qualify in first position, while Sweden, Montenegro and Austria will fight amongst themselves for that final automatic place in second and a spot in the play-offs in third.

8. Group H - Italy, Croatia, Norway, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Malta.

MILAN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 15:  Daniel Pablo Osvaldo of Italy in action during the international friendly match between Italy and Germany at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on November 15, 2013 in Milan, Italy.  (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) 

European heavyweights Italy and Croatia should have absolutely no problem finishing in the top two positions here, with both countries expected to be satisfied with group H.

Bulgaria and Norway look the most likely to finish in third place, which will guarantee a place in the play-offs.

9. Group I - Portugal, Denmark, Serbia, Armenia, Albania.

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - NOVEMBER 19:  Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier Play-off Second Leg match between Sweden and Portugal at Friends Arena on November 19, 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden.  (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images,) 

Portugal won't have it easy if they are to make it to Euro 2016, with Denmark and Serbia tough opponents in the only group that contains five nations.

Host nation France are also relevant as they will play each of these countries both home and away, however, they will merely be international friendlies.

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 

 

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