Soccer: The Republic of Ireland under-21s have been grouped with Italy, Turkey, Hungary and Liechtenstein for the 2013 Uefa European Championship qualifiers.
The 10 group winners and four best runners-up will qualify for 14 play-off matches, from which seven teams will contest the June 2013 tournament alongside hosts Israel.
“Obviously this is a very difficult draw as fourth seeds but overall I am happy with the teams drawn and the fixtures which were agreed,” said Ireland manager Noel King after the draw. “Italy are former European champions at this level and if we want to develop as a team, we need to be pitting ourselves against sides with the quality of teams like Italy.
“We are more than aware of the dangers that Turkey will provide after tasting defeat in our two meetings in our last qualifying campaign. While they will pose a real threat for us in the group, we have already learned a lot about them in those previous games and it will be a great opportunity for us to come up against them again.
“Hungary who are third seeds in this group have a fabulous tradition in football and while they have not been a footballing force at this level for some time, being seeded ahead of us demands that we still respect them and take nothing for granted.”
King’s satisfaction with the fixtures is largely down to the fact his side will not travel to the continent at the height of summer when heat might be a factor. However, ending with away fixtures against Hungary and Italy in September 2012 is not ideal.
The opening fixture at home to Hungary on September 1st is followed by a trip to Turkey five days later. Back-to-back fixtures against Liechtenstein follow in October and November before a seven month break and visit of Italy in June 2012.
Turkey then come to Ireland in August before the final two games away from home.
Uefa under-21 European Championship 2013 qualifiers
Thursday, September 1st, 2011- Ireland v Hungary
Tuesday, September 6th, 2011- Turkey v Ireland
Tuesday, October 11th, 2011- Liechtenstein v Ireland
Monday, November 14th, 2011- Ireland v Liechtenstein
Monday, June 4th, 2012- Ireland v Italy
Tuesday, August 14th, 2012- Ireland v Turkey
Thursday, September 6th, 2012- Hungary v Ireland
Monday, September 10th, 2012- Italy v Ireland
