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Zinedine Zidane, in Kiev, on Friday |
Kiev: Traditional rivals Germany and Netherlands will lock horns yet again at the Euro 2012 finals next year after the two neighbours were drawn together on Friday in the toughest group of the 16-nation tournament.
The two will play each other on June 13 in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv in Group B, which also includes two other difficult-to-beat western European nations, Portugal and Denmark.
The tournament, being co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, will open on June 8 in Warsaw when the Poles take on 2004 champions Greece. Russia and Czech Republic are also in Group A which has a distinctly eastern feel.
Soccer’s two Mediterranean super-powers and old rivals Spain, the world and European champions, and Italy will meet each other in an intriguing first game in Group C on June 10 in the Polish port of Gdansk. Croatia and Ireland will be outsiders in that section.
The final group comprises the other co-hosts Ukraine, who will have to play England, France and Sweden in Group D, which looks like a tougher proposition than their fellow hosts face in Group A.
The draw was conducted by Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino at Kiev’s Palace of Arts before a crowd of invited guests and soccer celebrities.
He was assisted by four former European champions, Zinedine Zidane of France, Dutch ace Marco van Basten, Danish goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel and German striker Horst Hrubesch.
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