Steep roads for underdogs in UEFA qualifiers: The results of the draw for the UEFA group phase of qualifiers for Germany 2011 should please the favoured teams. Ukraine are no doubt anticipating a first qualification as they go up against Poland and Hungary in Group 4, while Russia, who missed China 2007, are due to face Ireland Rep and Switzerland in Group 6. Finland, who host Women’s Euro 2009 this summer, meet Italy and Portugal in Group 7. Winning the group is not sufficient this time, as the winners will then have to win in the playoffs next year in order to qualify. Qualifying matches begin in SEP 2009.
» Group 1: France, Iceland, Serbia, Northern Ireland, Croatia, Estonia
» Group 2: Norway, Netherlands, Belarus, Slovakia, Macedonia FYR
» Group 3: Denmark, Scotland, Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia
» Group 4: Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina
» Group 5: England, Spain, Austria, Turkey, Malta
» Group 6: Russia, Ireland Rep, Switzerland, Israel, Kazakhstan
» Group 7: Italy, Finland, Portugal, Slovenia, Armenia
» Group 8: Sweden, Czech Rep, Belgium, Wales, Azerbaijan

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