ENGLAND will face their World Cup victors Croatia, Czech Republic and potentially Scotland in the opening game at Euro 2020.
Gareth Southgate’s side saw their hopes of glory at Russia 2018 ended with a 2-1 extra-time defeat to the Croats 18 months ago.
But they will get the chance to exact their revenge when they take on Croatia in the first game in next summer’s tournament, which will be held on June 14 at Wembley.
They avoided the nightmare scenario of being grouped with World Champions France and perennial bogey team Portugal.
Instead, both those European giants were matched in Group F along with Germany.
Southgate will be delighted with the draw, which saw the Czech Republic drawn out to be their final opponents on June 23.
Their second match, on June 19, will be against the side who come out of the play-off pathway that includes Scotland.
The Scots take on Israel in their play-off semi-final, hoping to meet the winners of Serbia against Norway in a straight fight for the right to take the last spot in Group D.
Video shows the 12 stunning stadiums that will host Euro 2020
Asked if Croatia might be a little old as a side Southgate said: “I thought 12 months maybe so, but they recovered well in their group, we know the quality of their midfield players and the fact a player like Kovacic is only the bench shows that, so that’s a really top level group match.
“Everybody can see we are a team that is going to keep improving.”
On the prospect of a game against the Scots he added: “We have to see what that throws up. But the good thing is we know that game is at Wembley, we can see that path and then beyond there see what happens.
“We have to accept that expectations have changed, we know we have a lot improve on, we are very critical of the team and team critical of themselves.
“But we would rather be a team that is fancied than a team given no chance because we are not playing very well.
Prize for finishing second
As a result of Uefa’s complicated structure for the expanded tournament, England know they will face the runners-up of a group in the last 16 whether they top Group D or come second.
Should they win their section, their next opponents will be the second-placed side in Group F – the section which houses Germany, France and Portugal.
But should Southgate’s side finish runners-up themselves, they will play a last-16 match against the second-placed side in Group E – Spain, Sweden or Poland.
The England boss said: “If you can win and be top seeds you have to try and take control of your own destiny. I think we have to be confident in our ability and take on whoever comes.
Happy Dragons
Wales have come out of the draw relatively well, having been placed in Group A alongside Switzerland, Turkey and Italy.
That will give Welsh boss Ryan Giggs hope of making it through to the knockout stages, especially if he goes into the tournament with a fit Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey.
Former Wales boss Mark Hughes said: “Wales will happy with that group. There are good games and whenever you look at who they could have had they should be happy with that.
“I mean look at Group F – they could have had one of them teams.”
Second Best?
With England facing a runner-up in the last 16 no matter what position they qualify from out of Group D, there is already an argument over what is the best route.
With memories flooding back of Russia 2018, England know is they top their section they face a difficult match against the second placed team in the group containing France, Portugal and Germany.
Contrast that with the reward for finishing second, which is what looks, on paper at least, to be a more attractive last-16 tie against the second placed side out of Spain, Sweden and Poland.
Admittedly, should they reach the quarter-finals on that route, they would then have to play that topped the nightmare section in Group F.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
