England to Kick off Euro 2012 Qualifiers Against Bulgaria

England’s qualifying fixtures for Euro 2012 have been decided by a random UEFA draw this afternoon after the five nations competing in Group G were unable to agree a schedule last week.

The Three Lions start their campaign in September against Bulgaria at Wembley before travelling to Switzerland four days later.

Wales host the first of the two derby games on 26 March 2011 before England host their neighbours in the penultimate game on 6 September 2011.

Fabio Capello will be disappointed that England have been drawn to play in June 2011. The England manager hoped to evade such a late game in the season and had initially avoided the prospect in the initial scheduling meeting last week before it fell through when other nations could not agree their fixtures.

However, the Italian will be more pleased at the timing of England’s key games in the group.

Capello spoke publically of his belief that English players were in their best condition at the start of the English season and both games against main rivals Croatia were played in September during the recent World Cup Qualifiers.

A comprehensive 4-1 victory in Zagreb and an impressive 5-1 home win a year later suggested that the Italian might be on to something.

England must travel to Switzerland in September this year, on paper the most difficult tie of the entire schedule, before facing Bulgaria away in September 2011.

Also worth noting is the switch from the traditional Saturday/Wednesday international calendar towards a Friday/Tuesday scheduling.

This has been implemented due to increased complaints from domestic managers that players do not return to their clubs until Thursday or even Friday after a Wednesday night international and are often unable to train before the club game on a Saturday.

England have three games on a Friday night (one at home), two on a Saturday (one home) and three on Tuesday nights (two at home).

England ’s Euro 2012 Qualifying Schedule

Friday 3 September 2010            Bulgaria (home)

Tuesday 7 September 2010        Switzerland (away)

Tuesday 12 October 2010           Montenegro (home)

Saturday 26 March 2011             Wales (away)

Saturday 4 June 2011                 Switzerland (home)

Friday 2 September 2011            Bulgaria (away)

Tuesday 6 September 2011        Wales (home)

Friday 7 October 2011                Montenegro (away)