Drama in EURO2020 draw as Republic of Ireland avoid Germany and the Netherlands at Northern Ireland's expense

Macdara Ferris reports from the Convention Centre Dublin

The EURO 2020 qualification draw on the banks of the Liffey threw up some drama on Sunday morning – especially for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

With Germany sitting in Pot 2, they were the team to avoid. There was a groan in the auditorium full of UEFA officials, managers and the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins when Germany were drawn out with the Netherlands in Group C.

The two teams have just finished playing one another in the UEFA Nations League with Ronald Koeman’s team coming out on top.

When the Republic of Ireland came out in the same group however, Mick McCarthy’s men got moved into Group D as Dublin, Amsterdam and Munich are all hosting matches in the EURO2020 final – and only two hosts are allowed in the same group.

It meant the Boys in Green ended up in a group with Switzerland and Denmark (again!), with Georgia and Gibraltar added later.

The Republic’s gain was Northern Ireland’s loss though as they ended up in the group with the Dutch and Germans – with Estonia and Belarus added as the draw concluded.

The draw in full:

Group A: England, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Kosovo 

Group B: Portugal, Ukraine, Serbia, Lithuania, Luxembourg 



Group C: Netherlands, Germany, Northern Ireland, Estonia, Belarus 

Group D: Switzerland, Denmark, Republic of Ireland, Georgia, Gibraltar 

Group E: Croatia, Wales, Slovakia, Hungary, Azerbaijan
Group F: Spain, Sweden, Norway, Romania, Faroe Islands, Malta 

Group G: Poland, Austria, Israel, Slovenia, FYR Macedonia, Latvia 

Group H: France, Iceland, Turkey, Albania, Moldova, Andorra 

Group I: Belgium, Russia, Scotland, Cyprus, Kazakhstan, San Marino 



Group J: Italy, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Finland, Greece, Armenia, Liechtenstein

 

 

    About Macdara Ferris

    Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile