Euro 2012 Draw: What the 16 Coaches Said

The draw is complete, the fixtures are set and now all that's left to do is wait.

Euro 2012 is approaching fast. With just about six months left before the opening match on June 8 in Warsaw, the tournament's 16 teams are making their final preparations.

We'll have plenty more on all that in the coming months. But for now we want to whet your appetite for a major international tournament with quotes from all 16 managers about the Euro 2012 draw.

Not surprisingly, some were elated. But some were disappointed, and some were philosophical.

But one thing was true for all of them: They know winning the tournament will take a massive effort.

Here's what they had to say.

Poland's Franciszek Smuda:

Everything is going right for Poland. Well, almost everything.

The national team will co-host Euro 2012 next summer. As a seeded team, they were drawn into a workable Group A with Russia, Greece and the Czech Republic.

All good, until manager Franciszek Smuda said this:

"Do not fall into euphoria. We must remain calm. It is sometimes easier to play the favorites."

Smuda, a 63-year-old former defender who has managed several clubs including Legia Warsaw and Wisla Krakow, was speaking to the Polish FA's website (here it is, if you can read Polish). As a co-host, he knows his team will have an advantage in the race for qualification for the knockout stages.

But he also knows overconfidence can prove deadly. You can almost hear the defender coming through in him when he preaches caution to his team's fans.

"We recently played a friendly against Greece. They're a strong team and a lot will depend on our match with them.

"It's always better to start a tournament well, so it's good that the game will be held in Warsaw with our fans, but we cannot rejoice."

Poland will play in the tournament's first game on June 8. They'll face Greece.

Russia's Dick Advocaat:

As manager of the consensus best team in Group A, Dick Advocaat should be happy about Russia's draw.

He was.

“I’m very pleased with how the draw went,” he said. “There are four equal teams with equal chances to progress in the group."

Advocaat has extensive experience managing at the international level. He led the Netherlands to the quarterfinals of the 1994 World Cup and the semifinals of Euro 2004, and has also coached South Korea, United Arab Emirates and Belgium.

Like their manager, Russia's players have experience against Greece.

"It's the third consecutive time that Russia have been drawn with Greece in the group stage of the Euros, so we're familiar rivals," said Advocaat.

"Plus we also played a friendly against them last month, so we know each other well."

Russia opens against the Czech Republic on June 8.

Greece's Fernando Santos: Group A Has No Favorite

Greece shocked Europe with its run to the Euro 2004 title behind Theodoros Zagorakis.

Since then, though, the Greeks have reverted to form. They missed World Cup 2006 and crashed out of the group stages of Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010.

Now they've got a new leader in Portuguese coach Fernando Santos. Greece sailed through qualifying with the top record in Group F.

Now Santos says Greece have the same chance as everyone else.

“I am also pleased with the outcome of the draw. It could’ve been a lot worse,” Fernando Santos, the Greek manager, stressed. ”It’s a group of four equal teams, with no favorite. We’ve played friendly matches with Poland and Russia, so all teams have chances to reach the play-offs.”

Greece opens with Poland on June 8.

Czech Republic's Michal Bilek: "I Wanted Poland and Greece"

At times over the last 15 years, the Czech Republic has fielded one of Europe's most feared national teams.

The Czechs finished runners-up at Euro 96 and reached the semifinals eight years later. But they missed World Cup qualification in 1998 and 2002, and crashed out of the group stages at Euro 2008.

Heading into Euro 2012, it looks like the Czechs are in another down cycle. Their qualification campaign started with a disastrous home loss to Lithuania, and Michal Bilek's team had to beat Montenegro in the playoffs to qualify for the final tournament.

Still, Bilek is confident.

"

"I wanted Poland and Greece in our group, so I can be satisfied," he said. "But this draw will not decide anything—we still had the task of advancing from whatever group we got. The good news is that we will play all our group games in one city (Wroclaw) and, moreover, at the stadium which is closest to the Czech Republic. I'm looking forward to our fans being there."

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The Czech Republic plays Russia on June 8.

The Netherlands' Bert Van Marwijk: "You Actually Already Want to Play Now"

Everybody knows Group B is the toughest. The coaches are even giving us their usual coach-speak to play it down.

Here's what Netherlands manager Bert van Marwijk said:

"It's the toughest group; everyone agrees on that. I have met all the coaches and none of them looked happy. There's a lot of respect for each other, I think.

"All the countries know each other well—quite recently we lost against Germany.

"It's a huge challenge, this group. There will be beautiful matches, and the advantage is that you actually already want to play now, because you're already sharp now."

The Netherlands lost a friendly 3-0 to Germany on Nov. 15. But van Marwijk doesn't see his team's tough draw as totally negative.

“When we get through this group, we play a team from Group A, so the draw has its advantages and disadvantages.

“For me personally, I think it is a thrilling draw, with attractive opponents. It is an extremely hard draw and a huge challenge for us."

The Dutch open the tournament against Denmark on June 9.

Denmark's Martin Olsen: "We Will Have to Be at Our Best"

Denmark are the obvious choice for weak link in Group B, but that's not necessarily true.

The Danes defeated Portugal in qualifying and topped the group ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and company.

So manager Morten Olsen was cautiously positive about the draw.

"Obviously we will have to be at our best, and we need to have all of our key players fit for the 10 days. On top of that, we will need a good deal of luck in order to succeed.

"That said, it is not an easy group for the other teams, and I did not really see any happy faces on any of my colleagues from those countries."

Denmark opens against the Netherlands on June 9.

Germany's Joachim Löw: "There Are No Easy Opponents"

Even in Group B, Germany coach Joachim Löw would have the right to be confident. The Germans are perhaps the second favorite for the European title after Spain.

With an exciting team full of young talent, Löw will be looking to at least match his team's runner-up finish in 2008.

But after being drawn into such a tough group, the German manager isn't looking past anyone.

"When I look at it, it is the most exciting, maybe the most even, group," he said. The Euro is always a great tournament where there are no easy opponents.

"All teams are good in a Euro, no matter who you play. They all have their strengths. Portugal, the Netherlands—they are the most technical teams in the world. And Denmark are strong as a team. So we need to take it as it is."

Germany opens with Portugal on June 9.

Portugal's Paulo Bento:

Portugal manager Paulo Bento naturally looked to everyone's qualification resumes when sizing up Group B.

Denmark has finished ahead of Portugal in two straight qualification campaigns, Germany were perfect in Euro 2012 qualifying, and the Netherlands came close.

But Bento said it does no good to linger on those facts.

"The draw is like this. We don't set priorities. We have to accept it as it is," he said. "It's a very difficult group, the strongest one of the four. But it's a very balanced group taking into count the quality of the teams and their record."

Portugal opens with Germany on June 9.

Spain's Vicente Del Bosque: "We'll Have to Prepare Well"

Vicente Del Bosque might have the most enviable managing job in world football.

As manager of Spain, he doesn't have to do much. He already has world-class talent throughout his squad, and most of the players know each other well from La Liga.

Del Bosque, though, said Spain will have to prepare well if they want to defend their title from Euro 2008.

"It's always difiicult," he said. "Croatia and Ireland qualified via the playoffs, but they won by very big margins. And then there will be a classic match against Italy.

"So I think we will have to prepare well, get there in our best form, and focus more on ourselves than our opponents.

That "classic match" against Italy will be both teams' first of the tournament. They'll face off June 10 at PGE Arena in Gdansk, Poland.

Italy's Cesare Prandelli:

Group C is full of intrigue for Italy.

The 2006 world champions have a date against the current European and world champions. Then they face local rivals Croatia, and finish with a match against Ireland and their Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni.

So it's somewhat natural that manager Cesare Prandelli would focus on every team—not just Spain.

"Spain aren't the only team to beat," he said. "Every team has to be beaten, especially the teams you think could make it into the next round, starting with Spain."

Italy and Spain play June 10.

Republic of Ireland's Giovanni Trapattoni: Bring on Italy

Giovanni Trapattoni is a realistic man. The Ireland manager knew his team would be drawn into a tough group based on Ireland's ranking.

But while Trapattoni knows Ireland face a tough challenge, he's staying upbeat. He's even hoping he can send his countrymen home after the final group match.

"I hope we'll be playing for a place in the next round when we face Italy, because that would give us a big psychological boost," said Trapattoni. "I think it will be Ireland, Italy and Croatia fighting for second spot."

Ireland opens with Croation on June 10.

Croatia's Slaven Bilic: "We're Looking Forward to It Big Time"

Croatia are the wild card of Group C. No one knows what they'll do.

Maybe not even their coach, Slaven Bilic.

"We're looking forward to it big time," said Bilic. "It's a very tough group, like the others are, and we have not only hope but a chance to go through.

Bilic added that playing the best will bring out the best in his team.

"There is a sensational spirit in the Croatia squad. The best seem to get the best out of you—it's an exciting prospect. It's unbelievable, so we can't wait for it."

Croatia opens with Ireland on June 10 in Poznan.

Ukraine's Oleh Blokhin: "The Games Will Show Everything"

Ukraine got the draw they wanted.

After recent losses to France and Sweden, the Euro 2012 co-hosts will get rematches on home soil.

And they also get England, who manager Oleh Blokhin said aren't what they used to be.

"It could have been better; it could have been worse. The games will show everything.

"It's positive, because the team wants a return match (against France and Sweden). … The England team is the England team, although recently the English national team haven't been achieving top results in the European Championship or the World Cup.

"But English football is among the best in Europe. They are a good, strong team."

Ukraine open with Sweden on June 11 in Kiev.

Sweden's Erik Hamren: "You Have to Win Them All"

Sweden manager Erik Hamren is realistic. He knows his team will have to play the co-hosts along with England—after recently losing to them at Wembley—and France.

That makes Sweden the underdogs of Group D.

"At the last Euro we won the first game and lost the second two. So (the opening game) is not so important any more. You have to win them all if you are going to go further. But of course the first game is always important."

That first game is scheduled for June 11. Sweden will face co-hosts Ukraine in Kiev.

France's Laurent Blanc: "These Are Games We Enjoy Playing"

France are coming off a disastrous World Cup 2010, where the players revolted against then-manager Raymond Domenech.

Now under the guidance of retired defender Laurent Blanc, the French have a new attitude and an exciting, young squad. According to Blanc, they're looking forward to getting a shot at England.

"France v England is always tough; it's always hotly contested with a lot at stake," said Blanc. "These are games we enjoy playing, and I hope that will be the case for this one."

France opens with England on June 11 in Donetsk.

England's Fabio Capello: "All the Teams Are Very Good"

England and Fabio Capello have high expectations for Euro 2012.

After a disappointing World Cup 2010, England have been pointing to Euro 2012 as their best chance in many years to advance deep into a tournament.

Capello's comments reflect that sentiment. Without looking past England's opponents in Group D, the England boss spoke about playing against the heavy hitters in the later rounds.

Since Group D crosses with Group C in the quarterfinals, England would most likely play Spain or Italy if they advance.

"All the teams are very good, because they have got to this tournament because they are really very good," said Capello. "We have found a good place (for our base), we are happy with the facilities and we will stay in the same place in Krakow.

"I hoped we would get the chance to play Spain or Italy in the quarterfinals."

First, though, England will have to play France in Donetsk on June 11.