Soccer: The Republic of Ireland have been confirmed as fourth seeds for the Euro 2012 finals draw to take place on December 2nd.
The seedings are based on the latest Uefa coefficient rankings and mean any hopes the Irish players had of a reunion with France were dashed when Laurent Blanc's side were also drawn in Pot 4 alongside Denmark and Czech Republic.
The co-hosts, Poland and Ukraine, are the lowest ranked teams in the 16-strong draw, but will be top seeds and have already been drawn in Groups A and D respectively.
Ukraine are ranked 15th in Europe, while Poland are a long way off the rest in 28th spot.
Ireland, who are ranked 14th, will therefore be hoping to draw one of the host nations from rather than either Spain or the Netherlands from the first pot.
Russia, who beat Ireland to top spot in Group B of the qualifiers before Giovanni Trapattoni’s men beat Estonia 5-1 on aggregate, are potential opponents again, having seeded in Pot 2 along with England, Germany and Italy.
A meeting with England might, perhaps, whet the appetite of the Irish players based across the water, while Trapattoni may relish a meeting with his countryman Fabio Capello or, indeed, his homeland Italy.
Croatia, Greece, Portugal and Sweden make up Pot 3.
Euro 2012 seedings
Pot 1: Poland, Ukraine, Spain, Netherlands
Pot 2: Germany, Italy, England, Russia
Pot 3: Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Sweden
Pot 4:Denmark, France, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland
* Poland already allocated to Group A, Ukraine already allocated to Group D.
