Euro 2021 final draw and fixtures: England on easy group, Netherlands on group of death

Euro 2021 final draw and fixtures have been decide already: England handed easy group as Netherlands make a group of death.

Millions of football fans witnessed Euro 2012 Final draw which took place in Ukraine on 02 Dec 2011. Ukraine and Poland will co-host the biggest Euro country’s championship that will also involve other 14 qualified national teams.

Euro 2021 final draw

14 national teams were placed in four different pots according to their senior national team coefficients before the draw began. Spain and Netherlands are ranked first and second respectively in the FIFA-cocacola ranking and were in pot 1.

Pot 1: Spain, Netherlands

Pot 2: Germany, Italy, England, Russia

Pot 3: Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Sweden

Pot 4: Denmark, France, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland

Result of Ukraine Euro 2012 Final Draw:

Group A: Poland, Greece, Russia, Czech Republic

Group B: Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Portugal

Group C: Spain, Italy, Republic of Ireland, Croatia

Group D: Ukraine, Sweden, France, England

Group B is said to be the toughest group; group of death, by looking of teams rank in FIFA-Cocacola zonal table last month; the as the world cup finalist Netherlands, (2nd ), Germany (3rd), Portugal (5th) and Denmark (8th).

In group C, the championship defending team, Spain will be set to go smoothly to the next round. This seem to a tough draw for Republic of Ireland (14th) and Giovanni Trapattoni as they are far below in FIFA Cocacola ranking compared to Spain (1st), Croatia (6th) and Italy (7th).

England (4th) drawn ob group D with France (11), Sweden (13th) and Co-host Ukraine (30th). Fabio Capelo squad seem to been handed an easy group on paper but they still have to fight and avoid disappointments at group stage.

Teams that qualify through play-off will have tougher times than in Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

Euro 2012 final fixtures

Friday, June 8

Warsaw, Group A: Poland v Greece (1700)

Wroclaw, Group A: Russia v Czech Republic (1945)

Saturday, June 9

Kharkiv, Group B: Holland v Denmark (1700)

Lviv, Group B: Germany v Portugal (1945)

Sunday, June 10

Gdansk, Group C: Spain v Italy (1700)

Poznan, Group C: Republic of Ireland v Croatia (1945)

Monday, June 11

Donetsk, Group D: France v England (1700)

Kiev, Group D: Ukraine v Sweden (1945)

Tuesday, June 12

Wroclaw, Group A: Greece v Czech Republic (1700)

Warsaw, Group A: Poland v Russia (1945)

Wednesday, June 13

Lviv, Group B: Denmark v Portugal (1700)

Kharkiv, Group B: Holland v Germany (1945)

Thursday, June 14

Poznan, Group C: Italy v Croatia (1700)

Gdansk, Group C: Spain v Republic of Ireland (1945)

Friday, June 15

Kiev, Group D: Sweden v England (1700)

Donetsk, Group D: Ukraine v France (1945)

Saturday, June 16

Wroclaw, Group A: Czech Republic v Poland (1945)

Warsaw, Group A: Greece v Russia (1945)

Sunday, June 17

Kharkiv, Group B: Portugal v Holland (1945)

Lviv, Group B: Denmark v Germany (1945)

Monday, June 18

Gdansk, Group C: Croatia v Spain (1945)

Poznan, Group C: Italy v Republic of Ireland (1945)

Tuesday, June 19

Donetsk, Group D: England v Ukraine (1945)

Kiev, Group D: Sweden v France (1945)

QUARTER-FINALS

Thursday, June 21

QF1: Warsaw: Winner A v Runner-up B (1945)

Friday, June 22

QF2: Gdansk: Winner B v Runner-up A (1945)

Saturday, June 23

QF3: Donetsk: Winner C v Runner-up D (1945)

Sunday, June 24

QF4: Kiev: Winner D v Runner-up C (1945)

SEMI-FINALS

Wednesday, June 27

SF1: Donetsk: Winner QF1 v Winner QF3 (1945)

Thursday, June 28

SF2: Warsaw: Winner QF2 v Winner QF4 (1945)

FINAL

Sunday, July 1

Kiev: Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 (1945)

Euro 2021 final draw and fixtures: England on easy group, Netherlands on group of death

Euro 2021 final draw and fixtures have been decide already: England handed easy group as Netherlands make a group of death.

Millions of football fans witnessed Euro 2012 Final draw which took place in Ukraine on 02 Dec 2011. Ukraine and Poland will co-host the biggest Euro country’s championship that will also involve other 14 qualified national teams.

Euro 2021 final draw

14 national teams were placed in four different pots according to their senior national team coefficients before the draw began. Spain and Netherlands are ranked first and second respectively in the FIFA-cocacola ranking and were in pot 1.

Pot 1: Spain, Netherlands

Pot 2: Germany, Italy, England, Russia

Pot 3: Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Sweden

Pot 4: Denmark, France, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland

Result of Ukraine Euro 2012 Final Draw:

Group A: Poland, Greece, Russia, Czech Republic

Group B: Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Portugal

Group C: Spain, Italy, Republic of Ireland, Croatia

Group D: Ukraine, Sweden, France, England

Group B is said to be the toughest group; group of death, by looking of teams rank in FIFA-Cocacola zonal table last month; the as the world cup finalist Netherlands, (2nd ), Germany (3rd), Portugal (5th) and Denmark (8th).

In group C, the championship defending team, Spain will be set to go smoothly to the next round. This seem to a tough draw for Republic of Ireland (14th) and Giovanni Trapattoni as they are far below in FIFA Cocacola ranking compared to Spain (1st), Croatia (6th) and Italy (7th).

England (4th) drawn ob group D with France (11), Sweden (13th) and Co-host Ukraine (30th). Fabio Capelo squad seem to been handed an easy group on paper but they still have to fight and avoid disappointments at group stage.

Teams that qualify through play-off will have tougher times than in Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

Euro 2012 final fixtures

Friday, June 8

Warsaw, Group A: Poland v Greece (1700)

Wroclaw, Group A: Russia v Czech Republic (1945)

Saturday, June 9

Kharkiv, Group B: Holland v Denmark (1700)

Lviv, Group B: Germany v Portugal (1945)

Sunday, June 10

Gdansk, Group C: Spain v Italy (1700)

Poznan, Group C: Republic of Ireland v Croatia (1945)

Monday, June 11

Donetsk, Group D: France v England (1700)

Kiev, Group D: Ukraine v Sweden (1945)

Tuesday, June 12

Wroclaw, Group A: Greece v Czech Republic (1700)

Warsaw, Group A: Poland v Russia (1945)

Wednesday, June 13

Lviv, Group B: Denmark v Portugal (1700)

Kharkiv, Group B: Holland v Germany (1945)

Thursday, June 14

Poznan, Group C: Italy v Croatia (1700)

Gdansk, Group C: Spain v Republic of Ireland (1945)

Friday, June 15

Kiev, Group D: Sweden v England (1700)

Donetsk, Group D: Ukraine v France (1945)

Saturday, June 16

Wroclaw, Group A: Czech Republic v Poland (1945)

Warsaw, Group A: Greece v Russia (1945)

Sunday, June 17

Kharkiv, Group B: Portugal v Holland (1945)

Lviv, Group B: Denmark v Germany (1945)

Monday, June 18

Gdansk, Group C: Croatia v Spain (1945)

Poznan, Group C: Italy v Republic of Ireland (1945)

Tuesday, June 19

Donetsk, Group D: England v Ukraine (1945)

Kiev, Group D: Sweden v France (1945)

QUARTER-FINALS

Thursday, June 21

QF1: Warsaw: Winner A v Runner-up B (1945)

Friday, June 22

QF2: Gdansk: Winner B v Runner-up A (1945)

Saturday, June 23

QF3: Donetsk: Winner C v Runner-up D (1945)

Sunday, June 24

QF4: Kiev: Winner D v Runner-up C (1945)

SEMI-FINALS

Wednesday, June 27

SF1: Donetsk: Winner QF1 v Winner QF3 (1945)

Thursday, June 28

SF2: Warsaw: Winner QF2 v Winner QF4 (1945)

FINAL

Sunday, July 1

Kiev: Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 (1945)

Amazing backheel own goal by Spain defender Inigo Martinez as Spain under 21 (U21) beat Georgia 7-2

Amazing backheel own goal by spain defender Inigo Martinez as Spain under 21 beat Georgia 7-2.
The defender beat David De Gea with fantastic backheel only that he score to his own goal.

Amazing backheel own goal by Spain defender Inigo Martinez as Spain under 21 (U21) beat Georgia 7-2

Amazing backheel own goal by spain defender Inigo Martinez as Spain under 21 beat Georgia 7-2.
The defender beat David De Gea with fantastic backheel only that he score to his own goal.

New updated FIFA-Coca-Cola World Ranking for August 2011

FIFA Cocacola world ranking has been released and signal the end of Spain more than a year dominancy coming to an end. Netherlands are the new FIFA ranking leaders, their first ever highest rank; poorest rank was 25th in May 1998.

The new top ranked countries have joined other 6 countries (Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy and Spain) to have topped the world ranking. Except for Dutch three times (1974, 1978 and 2010) world cup runner up, the other six national teams have won the world cup at least once.

The Bert van Marwijk’s Netherlands squad under Mark van Bommel captaincy have 100% record in UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying campaign won 6 matches and scored 21 goals.

England moved two places up in FIFA ranking and remained one of the big national that has not topped the FIFA cocacola ranking.

The currently ranking has been released after 76 games, including 2014 FIFA World Cup preliminalies, UEFA EURO 2012 matches and international friendlies.
TOP TEN OVERALL FIFA COCACOLA RANKING FOR ALL CONFEDERATIONS

TOP TEN FIFA-COCACOLA UEFA RANKING
Netherlands and spain are separated by only 33 points in FIFA-UEFA ranking. Russia national team has made its way to UEFA top ten ranking by move 5 places up.

TOP TEN FIFA-COCACOLA CAF RANKING
Ivory Coast is one place down from previous overall FIFA Cocacola ranking, but still lead FIFA cocacola CAF ranking for Africa countries.

Nigeria and Algeria made big moves among the top 10 countries gaining 24 and 37 points respectively. They are the biggest moved countries in overall ranking together with Russia.

TOP TEN FIFA-COCACOLA CONCACAF RANKING
Mexico still leads the FIFA CONCACAF ranking achieved after winning the CONCACAF gold cup. United States are second with hopes for more improvement under Jurgen Klinsman the new USA manager.

TOP TEN FIFA-COCACOLA CONMEBOL RANKING
In South America, Uruguay moved from 5th to the top of the FIFA CONMEBOL ranking. The South America Copa America champions benefited from Brazil 3-2 loss to German in international friendly. The two national teams are only separated by 18 points.

New updated FIFA-Coca-Cola World Ranking for August 2011

FIFA Cocacola world ranking has been released and signal the end of Spain more than a year dominancy coming to an end. Netherlands are the new FIFA ranking leaders, their first ever highest rank; poorest rank was 25th in May 1998.

The new top ranked countries have joined other 6 countries (Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy and Spain) to have topped the world ranking. Except for Dutch three times (1974, 1978 and 2010) world cup runner up, the other six national teams have won the world cup at least once.

The Bert van Marwijk’s Netherlands squad under Mark van Bommel captaincy have 100% record in UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying campaign won 6 matches and scored 21 goals.

England moved two places up in FIFA ranking and remained one of the big national that has not topped the FIFA cocacola ranking.

The currently ranking has been released after 76 games, including 2014 FIFA World Cup preliminalies, UEFA EURO 2012 matches and international friendlies.
TOP TEN OVERALL FIFA COCACOLA RANKING FOR ALL CONFEDERATIONS

TOP TEN FIFA-COCACOLA UEFA RANKING
Netherlands and spain are separated by only 33 points in FIFA-UEFA ranking. Russia national team has made its way to UEFA top ten ranking by move 5 places up.

TOP TEN FIFA-COCACOLA CAF RANKING
Ivory Coast is one place down from previous overall FIFA Cocacola ranking, but still lead FIFA cocacola CAF ranking for Africa countries.

Nigeria and Algeria made big moves among the top 10 countries gaining 24 and 37 points respectively. They are the biggest moved countries in overall ranking together with Russia.

TOP TEN FIFA-COCACOLA CONCACAF RANKING
Mexico still leads the FIFA CONCACAF ranking achieved after winning the CONCACAF gold cup. United States are second with hopes for more improvement under Jurgen Klinsman the new USA manager.

TOP TEN FIFA-COCACOLA CONMEBOL RANKING
In South America, Uruguay moved from 5th to the top of the FIFA CONMEBOL ranking. The South America Copa America champions benefited from Brazil 3-2 loss to German in international friendly. The two national teams are only separated by 18 points.

FIFA World Cup qualification draws for 2014 in Brazil

The FIFA 2014 World Cup has been scheduled to feature 32 national teams from FIFA six continental confederations. Only the host, The 5 times world cup champions, Brazil will be allowed to participate in world cup finals without competing in qualification draw.. Spain, World cup and European Champions will join other 30 national teams in competing for their place in World cup finals.
The preliminary draw of the 2014 FIFA World Cup draw was made on 30 July 2011 at the Marina da Glória in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The 32 world cup place distribution
1. Europe (UEFA): 13 places
2. Africa (CAF): 5 places
3. Asia (AFC): 4 or 5 places
4. South America (CONMEBOL) 4 or 5 places (Brazil host)
5. North, Central American and Caribbean (CONCACAF): 3 or 4 places
6. Oceania (OFC): 0 or 1 place

2014 FIFA World Cup qualification for European zone-UEFA
The road to 2014 world cup for European zone teams will kick off on August 2012 after the Euro 2012. 53 national teams will compete for 13 allocated places for this zone. 9 group winners will automatically enter the world cup finals and eight best runners-up will face play-off for the remaining 4 places.

France recent poor performance pushed them to 15 in FIFA World Rankings world wide and have been drawn with World cup champions, Spain. In the last world cup play-off, France won a controversial play-off win over Ireland to qualify for the 2010 World cup inals in South Africa. France coach Laurent Blanc speaking to French FA's website, he said "At least we won't receive the tag of favourites with the world champions and European champions in our group. It's extremely exciting to compete with the best. It's through such matches that we can improve.''
''It'd be a lie to say that we're in an easy group. But we will focus on our task and France will take its chances as usual.
''Spain will definitely be our toughest opponent in the group. But I have confidence in our team and the goal will be to advance in first place.''

FIFA World Cup qualification draws for 2014 in Brazil

The FIFA 2014 World Cup has been scheduled to feature 32 national teams from FIFA six continental confederations. Only the host, The 5 times world cup champions, Brazil will be allowed to participate in world cup finals without competing in qualification draw.. Spain, World cup and European Champions will join other 30 national teams in competing for their place in World cup finals.
The preliminary draw of the 2014 FIFA World Cup draw was made on 30 July 2011 at the Marina da Glória in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The 32 world cup place distribution
1. Europe (UEFA): 13 places
2. Africa (CAF): 5 places
3. Asia (AFC): 4 or 5 places
4. South America (CONMEBOL) 4 or 5 places (Brazil host)
5. North, Central American and Caribbean (CONCACAF): 3 or 4 places
6. Oceania (OFC): 0 or 1 place

2014 FIFA World Cup qualification for European zone-UEFA
The road to 2014 world cup for European zone teams will kick off on August 2012 after the Euro 2012. 53 national teams will compete for 13 allocated places for this zone. 9 group winners will automatically enter the world cup finals and eight best runners-up will face play-off for the remaining 4 places.

France recent poor performance pushed them to 15 in FIFA World Rankings world wide and have been drawn with World cup champions, Spain. In the last world cup play-off, France won a controversial play-off win over Ireland to qualify for the 2010 World cup inals in South Africa. France coach Laurent Blanc speaking to French FA's website, he said "At least we won't receive the tag of favourites with the world champions and European champions in our group. It's extremely exciting to compete with the best. It's through such matches that we can improve.''
''It'd be a lie to say that we're in an easy group. But we will focus on our task and France will take its chances as usual.
''Spain will definitely be our toughest opponent in the group. But I have confidence in our team and the goal will be to advance in first place.''

Tour of Estadio La Rosaleda (Málaga CF)

I did not get to see a game this weekend which meant I finally I had some time to post the pictures I took during the stadium tour at Esatadio La Rosaleda, home of Málaga Club de Fútbol. On Monday 6th September 2010 my wife and I took the train from Benalmádena, the resort we were staying in, to Málaga. I do not think there is direct bus link from Maria Zambrano, the main train station in Málaga, to La Rosaleda so we embarked on a 30-minute walk to the stadium. The alternative would have been a taxi but it is an easy walk, no steep hills or anything like that and basically one straight road.

The stadium was opened in 1941 and there have been several renovations in recent years. The current capacity is 28,963. La Rosaleda also hosted three World Cup first round group matches in 1982, including Scotland v New Zealand (5-2) and Scotland v Soviet Union (2-2). The other game was the mouthwatering clash between the Soviet Union and New Zealand (3-0). The stadium is not owned by the football club, its ownership is shared between the municipality of Málaga, the Málaga Provincial Council and the autonomous Government of Andalusia.

Before we left for Spain I had already seen there was the possibility of a stadium tour on the club's official website. Luckily we were able to get tickets for the home game against Valencia on 28th August but I thought it would be nice to see other parts of the grounds as well. Normally the tour, which includes a visit to the museum, costs €10, however there was a reduced fee of €5 in place now because the stadium was once more being renovated and we were not able to see some parts of the stadium that are normally part of the tour. That meant we did not get to see the press room, home team dressing room or the hall of fame. My wife and I were the only visitors when we arrived at the museum at 10:30 and we were given a private tour by Rocío. She spoke a little English but it would probably help if you understand Spanish (which I do not) because we were not given a lot of additional information by the guide and all plaques etc. in the museum were in Spanish only. Luckily the short film that was shown in the museum had Spanish subtitles.

All in all an interesting visit especially if you are not able to see any games at the ground.

Approaching the ground.

The ticket windows.

I assume this picture was taken after Malaga CD had beaten Real Madrid 6-2 in the 1983/84 season.

Executive seats in the Tribuna.

The Fondo stand.

The Preferencia stand.

The Gol stand.

The away dressing room had just been painted.

And again the away dressing room.

Also a new lick of paint in the massage room.

The home dugout.

The new seats for the fourth official.

The away dugout.

The Tribuna seen from pitch-level.

The Fondo end seen from the pitch.

The Gol end seen from the pitch.

Málaga won the Intertoto Cup in 2002 which meant qualification for the 2002/03 UEFA Cup. They exceeded everyone's expectations and reached the quarter finals in which they lost on penalties to Portuguese outfit Boavista.

Last season's strip I believe.

Good to see that dodgy football songs are not only recorded in Britain and Holland.

Plenty to see in the museum but some knowledge of the Spanish language would definitely be helpful.

Tour of Estadio La Rosaleda (Málaga CF)

I did not get to see a game this weekend which meant I finally I had some time to post the pictures I took during the stadium tour at Esatadio La Rosaleda, home of Málaga Club de Fútbol. On Monday 6th September 2010 my wife and I took the train from Benalmádena, the resort we were staying in, to Málaga. I do not think there is direct bus link from Maria Zambrano, the main train station in Málaga, to La Rosaleda so we embarked on a 30-minute walk to the stadium. The alternative would have been a taxi but it is an easy walk, no steep hills or anything like that and basically one straight road.

The stadium was opened in 1941 and there have been several renovations in recent years. The current capacity is 28,963. La Rosaleda also hosted three World Cup first round group matches in 1982, including Scotland v New Zealand (5-2) and Scotland v Soviet Union (2-2). The other game was the mouthwatering clash between the Soviet Union and New Zealand (3-0). The stadium is not owned by the football club, its ownership is shared between the municipality of Málaga, the Málaga Provincial Council and the autonomous Government of Andalusia.

Before we left for Spain I had already seen there was the possibility of a stadium tour on the club's official website. Luckily we were able to get tickets for the home game against Valencia on 28th August but I thought it would be nice to see other parts of the grounds as well. Normally the tour, which includes a visit to the museum, costs €10, however there was a reduced fee of €5 in place now because the stadium was once more being renovated and we were not able to see some parts of the stadium that are normally part of the tour. That meant we did not get to see the press room, home team dressing room or the hall of fame. My wife and I were the only visitors when we arrived at the museum at 10:30 and we were given a private tour by Rocío. She spoke a little English but it would probably help if you understand Spanish (which I do not) because we were not given a lot of additional information by the guide and all plaques etc. in the museum were in Spanish only. Luckily the short film that was shown in the museum had Spanish subtitles.

All in all an interesting visit especially if you are not able to see any games at the ground.

Approaching the ground.

The ticket windows.

I assume this picture was taken after Malaga CD had beaten Real Madrid 6-2 in the 1983/84 season.

Executive seats in the Tribuna.

The Fondo stand.

The Preferencia stand.

The Gol stand.

The away dressing room had just been painted.

And again the away dressing room.

Also a new lick of paint in the massage room.

The home dugout.

The new seats for the fourth official.

The away dugout.

The Tribuna seen from pitch-level.

The Fondo end seen from the pitch.

The Gol end seen from the pitch.

Málaga won the Intertoto Cup in 2002 which meant qualification for the 2002/03 UEFA Cup. They exceeded everyone's expectations and reached the quarter finals in which they lost on penalties to Portuguese outfit Boavista.

Last season's strip I believe.

Good to see that dodgy football songs are not only recorded in Britain and Holland.

Plenty to see in the museum but some knowledge of the Spanish language would definitely be helpful.