World Cup draws produce set of groups

COSTA DO SAUIPE, Brazil: The convoluted draw for next year's World Cup finals in Brazil yesterday produced a set of groups in which most of soccer's big guns will fancy their chances of reaching the knockout stages.

Group D, featuring former winners England, Italy and Uruguay, along with Costa Rica, is probably the exception, while Spain and Netherlands, who met in the 2010 final, will have to be well prepared to see off Chile and Australia in Group B.

Host nation Brazil will kick off the tournament against Croatia in Sao Paulo on June 12 and the favourites should be relatively happy with a Group A also containing Mexico and Cameroon as they seek their sixth title.

One former champion is sure to go out from Group D, with England against Italy in the jungle city of Manaus a mouth-watering opener for the two European sides.

World and European champions Spain begin their defence with a repeat of the physical 2010 final against the Netherlands in Rio's Maracana.
Germany will come face-to-face with their former striker and coach Juergen Klinsmann, now in charge of the United States, with Portugal and Ghana completing the Group G lineup.

France, who qualified via the playoffs, will be pleased with a Group E placing alongside Ecuador, Switzerland and Honduras.

Bosnia, the only one of the 32 teams taking part in their first World Cup finals, will have a dream start to their World Cup adventure as they kick off against Argentina in the Maracana before facing Iran and Nigeria.

Fancied Belgium head up Group H alongside Algeria, Russia and South Korea while Group C,, containing Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan, looks the toughest to predict.