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Capello:Euro 2012 will be hard

Friday, December 2, 2011 12:26 PM

England manager Fabio Capello believes Euro 2012 will be a lot harder for his side than last year's World Cup.



England struggled at the showpiece in South Africa, eliminated at the last-16 stage by rivals Germany.

But Capello is expecting an even sterner test at the Euro 2012 finals, with Spain, Netherlands, Portugal or France all potential group opponents for his side.

Speaking ahead of Friday's Euro 2012 draw in Kiev, Capello said: "This time it will be stronger."

"It will be stronger because if you look at the groups and all the teams, particularly the three European teams who reached the World Cup semi-finals, the technical level is at the top, the organisation of the teams is at the top."

"Also some teams who didn't play well at the World Cup will now be back at the top."

"Portugal, France and Italy will be better. It will be a really tough tournament."

Capello's fellow Italian Giovanni Trapattoni guided the Republic of Ireland to the finals in Poland and Ukraine and the England manager is keen to avoid them in the group stage.

Capello said: "The countries are close and also it would be two Italian managers, so I prefer not to be drawn with them."

"We cannot draw Italy as we are in the same pot, but this would be the same for me to face another Italian manager."

Capello was equally wary of facing some European heavyweights, including World Cup finalists Spain and the Netherlands.

"(I would like to avoid) Spain and Holland," he said. "After that there is also Portugal and France. These are the teams I would prefer to avoid in the group stage."

With several youngsters coming through the England ranks, Capello believes he has the right balance between youth and experience in his squad.

"The young players can play if they are good enough," Capello said.

"When we went to South Africa the gap between the older players and younger players was too big."

"Now the gap is closer and they younger players are improving a lot, they are playing with important teams at the top and in the Champions League and Europa League."

"In this situation you know something more as a player. It is really important."

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