Scotland have been drawn against holders Spain, Czech Republic, Lithuania and Liechtenstein in Group I for their qualification campaign for the 2012 European Championships. The draw, made in Warsaw in Sunday, gives new boss Craig Levein a fighting chance of taking the national team to their first major tournament since 1998.
There was early cause for optimism as Scotland were drawn out to face the lesser two nations in the group but that was dampened by the current world number one ranked country Spain and the formidable Czechs being picked out. Levein had spoken of his wish to be drawn against England but hopes of a return of the “Auld Enemy” fixture were dashed when Fabio Capello’s side were drawn in Group G.
Though drawn against Spain, the current European champions, the other teams in the group present Scotland with an opportunity to show real progress under the new manager.
Scotland fans will get a chance to assess one of the challenges ahead when they face group opponents Czech Republic in a friendly at Hampden Park next month. The fixture was arranged before the qualification draw was made and it is expected that both sides will still be happy to play the match.
The top side in each group will progress to the finals, which will be held in Poland and Ukraine in 2012. In addition, the best of the second placed teams will qualify automatically. The remaining group runners-up will contests a two-legged playoff to take the remaining spots at the finals tournament, alongside the two host nations.
Levein and SFA chief executive Gordon Smith will now thrash it out on February 19 with their future opponents to determine when each country will face each other. The meeting to agree on dates can prove crucial to a country’s chance of qualifying with order of games, climate and the scheduling of domestic seasons all playing a part.
Traditionally, the highest seeded country hosts the fixtures meeting and Madrid will provide the venue, where the SFA team will push to get games that will suit the demands made no players. Early season fixtures have proved a problem in the past but as one of the few groups to comprise five teams instead of six there will be greater flexibility in scheduling.
Dates set aside by FIFA for European Championsip qualification matches: 4-8 September, 9-13 October, 26-30 March 2011, 4-8 June 2011, 3-7 September 2011, 8-12 October 2011, 12-16 November 2011.
Full draw for qualification:
Group A: Germany, Turkey, Austria, Belgium, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan
Group B: Russia, Slovakia, Ireland, FYR Macedonia, Armenia, Andorra
Group C: Italy, Serbia, Northern Ireland, Slovenia, Estonia, Faroe Islands
Group D: France, Romania, Bosnia, Belarus, Albania, Luxembourg
Group E: Holland, Sweden, Finland, Hungary, Moldova, San Marino
Group F: Croatia, Greece, Iceland, 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
