EURO 2012 DRAW: England paired with Wales
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EURO 2012 DRAW: England paired with Wales in crunch qualifying campaign
On a roll: England will be among the frontrunners for Euro 2008
England have been drawn to face Wales in their bid to reach Euro 2012. The Three Lions will face two clashes with their Home Nations rivals in their attempts to erase the memories of failing to qualify for Euro 2008.
England will also play Switzerland, Bulgaria and Montenegro in a difficult Group G.
Scotland have been paired with holders Spain along with Czech Republic, Lithuania and Liechtenstein.
Northern Ireland face a tough task reaching the finals after being drawn in a group with world champions Italy, Serbia, Slovenia, Estonia and Faroe Islands.
Republic of Ireland are up against Russia, Slovakia, FYR Macedonia, Armenia and Andorra.
England last played Wales back in 2005 in a World Cup qualifier, claiming a 1-0 win in Cardiff.
As well as Wales, England face Switzerland, who were the opponents in Fabio Capello's first game in charge, a 2-1 Wembley win. England have never faced Montenegro as an independent nation, but did face Serbia and Montenegro back in 2003.
'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.'
Capello refused to answer a question about new skipper Rio Ferdinand, who has replaced John Terry after the storm over his alleged affair.
He said: 'No questions about John Terry or the captain. I will speak with Rio, I have spoken to John Terry.'
Showdown: Wales boss John Toshack (left) with Capello
Wales manager John Toshack knew the draw would be well received back home. He 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.
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.
'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 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. All in all, a very interesting draw.'
Scotland boss Craig Levein said: 'I'm excited and I'm pretty sure a lot of Scotland supporters will be looking forward to Spain coming to Hampden - and also maybe a little holiday to Spain.
'They should be favourites to win the game if they play to form but a five-team group may make it easier to get that second place. We know about Lithuania having drawn them in our last three qualifying campaigns. We don't know so much about Liechtenstein but will find out about them.
'We need to get some momentum now and we've got a couple of friendlies before the qualifiers to do just that. My intention is to develop some team spirit and harmony and build momentum. I think we're more than capable of having a fighting chance in this group.'
GROUP A
Germany
Turkey
Austria
Belgium
Kazakhstan
Azerbaijan
GROUP B
Russia
Slovakia
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
FYR Macedonia
Armenia
Andorra
GROUP C
Italy
Serbia
NORTHERN IRELAND
Slovenia
Estonia
Faroe Islands
GROUP D
France
Romania
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Belarus
Albania
Luxembourg
GROUP E
Holland
Sweden
Finland
Hungary
Moldova
San Marino
GROUP F
Croatia
Greece
Israel
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