Israel - Israeli Sport

? Switzerland, Bulgaria and Montenegro complete group
? Scotland draw Spain and Northern Ireland face Italy

England will face Wales in their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign after the two were drawn together in Group G. The pair were placed alongside Switzerland, Bulgaria and Montenegro at today's ceremony in Warsaw.

"I think the worst groups were group A and Group G and we got Group G," said England's manager Fabio Capello. "It's a tough group because each game will be strong games to play.

"Wales are one of the best teams now, although they are very young. Switzerland have qualified for the World Cup and are one of the best teams at the moment."

England last played Wales back in 2005 in a World Cup qualifier, winning 1-0 in Cardiff. Switzerland were the opponents in Capello's first game in charge, a 2-1 Wembley win, but they have never faced Montenegro as an independent nation, although they did play Serbia & Montenegro back in 2003.

Capello had said before the draw he was hoping for a five-team group, so he will have been reasonably satisfied. Afterwards he refused to answer a question about Rio Ferdinand, who has replaced Terry as captain. "No questions about John Terry or the captain. I will speak with Rio, I have spoken to John Terry."

The former England manager Terry Venables also believes Capello's side have been given a tough draw. "I think that's one of the harder groups," he told Sky Sports News. "But when you are one the favourites you've just got to say anyone will do. I think Switzerland are a difficult team. I think they've improved tremendously the last few years. The top seeds are way ahead of everybody else."

The Wales manager John Toshack said: "Without doubt, drawing England will please all the Welsh fans ? plenty of history there and we like nothing better than another chance against the old enemy.

"We have had recent experience against both Bulgaria and Montenegro, and Switzerland are a good mid-ranking European side. In truth, there will be little between ourselves and those other two sides.'

"I imagine that all three sides would feel that second place is possible, it will be up to us to try and go one better than that. I know Fabio Capello quite well, so will look forward to being able to pit our talents against a powerful England team later in the year.

"I think it will be an advantage to us to be in a group with only five teams rather than six. It means we will have less travelling and it will be possible to not play so many double-header games. Also, we do not have any far-away fixtures such as we have had last time with Russia and Azerbaijan."

John Hartson, a former Wales international, admitted John Toshack's side have little chance of qualifying from their group although they have something to be grateful for. "It's a great draw for Wales, the lads can play at the new Wembley stadium," he said. "Wales are not going to win the group, no way they can do that, but there's some great games there.

"The groups with five teams in are a little bit more difficult because you don't have a gimme in there. I played in the last game against England, it's brilliant, but it's over 25 years since the last time we beat them. It's been long overdue. I don't think they'll be too bothered about us, I don't think we'll frighten them."

Scotland were placed in Group I alongside the defending champions Spain, Czech Republic, Lithuania and Liechtenstein. And the former manager Craig Brown declared himself optimistic about the prospects for Craig Levein in his first qualifying campaign in charge.

"I've got to concede that Spain are the obvious favourites while Lithuania and Liechtenstein shouldn't be a problem," Brown told Sky Sports News. "But Scotland should be optimistic of getting at least second place in that group. Scotland have a great chance there. That's arguably the softest group they've had in recent times."

Northern Ireland face a stiff challenge having been drawn in Group C with the World Cup winners Italy, Serbia, Slovenia, Estonia and the Faroe Islands. Their former manager Lawrie Sanchez feels Nigel Worthington's side have a tough task. "It's a very tough group to qualify from," he said. "Nigel is going to have his work cut out to get into the top two."

The draw was relatively kind to the Republic of Ireland, who will meet Russia, Slovakia, Macedonia, Armenia and Andorra in Group B. The former Republic international Ray Houghton was in confident mood. "I'm delighted," he 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 No1 spot is there for the taking."

The draw in full

Group A: Germany, Turkey, Austria, Belgium, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan

Group B: Russia, Slovakia, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND, FYR Macedonia, Armenia and Andorra

Group C: Italy, Serbia, NORTHERN IRELAND, Slovenia, Estonia and Faroe Islands

Group D: France, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belarus, Albania and Luxembourg

Group E: Holland, Sweden, Finland, Hungary, Moldova and San Marino

Group F: Croatia, Greece, Israel, Latvia, Georgia and Malta

Group G: ENGLAND, Switzerland, Bulgaria, WALES and Montenegro

Group H: Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Cyprus and Iceland

Group I: Spain, Czech Republic, SCOTLAND, Lithuania and Liechtenstein

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