Ireland to face Russia & Slovakia

Ireland have been drawn in a group with Russia and Slovakia for the qualification stages of the 2012 European Championships.

Giovanni Trapattoni's side will play in Group B alongside Russia, Slovakia, FYR Macedonia, Armenia, Andorra.

Former Republic of Ireland international Ray Houghton was in confident mood after draw.

'I'm delighted,' Houghton said.

'The other top seeds are further ahead of us but Russia are certainly beatable.

'I actually think we can win it, I certainly believe the number one spot is there for the taking.'

Russia manager Guus Hiddink's future with the nation is in doubt but he spoke of his admiration for Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni after the draw.

'The fact that Russia is pot one means everyone can consider us as favourites, and you must not walk away from being favourites,' said Hiddink.

'I'm not shutting my eyes to that failure; we cannot lean back just because we are favourites, no way.'

'I don't know him well but I know he's an old fox, he knows football and he's a very committed coach and I like that very much. What he's achieved with Ireland is amazing.'

Northern Ireland face a stiff challenge, having been drawn in Group C with world champions Italy, Serbia, Slovenia, Estonia and Brian Kerr's Faroe Islands.

Elsewhere, England will face British neighbours Wales in Group G, along with Switzerland, Bulgaria and Montenegro, while another famous rivalry will be renewed in Group A, which contains 2008 runners-up Germany and Austria as well as Turkey, Belgium, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

France will hope to avoid a repeat of the play-off drama which saw them reach this summer's World Cup after they were handed a relatively kind pool.

Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belarus, Albania and Luxembourg are their opponents in Group D.

Holland will face Scandinavian teams Sweden and Finland as well as Hungary, Moldova and San Marino.

The group winners qualify automatically as do the best-placed runner up, with the remaining second-place finishers going into the dreaded play-offs.

EURO 2012 QUALIFYING GROUPS
Group A: Germany, Turkey, Austria, Belgium, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan
Group B: Russia, Slovakia, Republic of Ireland, FYR Macedonia, Armenia, Andorra
Group C: Italy, Serbia, Northern Ireland, Slovenia, Estonia, Faroe Islands
Group D: France, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belarus, Albania, Luxembourg
Group E: Holland, Sweden, Finland, Hungary, Moldova, San Marino
Group F: Croatia, Greece, Israel, Latvia, Georgia, Malta
Group G: England, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Wales, Montenegro
Group H: Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Cyprus, Iceland
Group I: Spain, Czech Republic, Scotland, Lithuania, Liechtenstein