The tournament will be held in Poland and the Ukraine in the summer of 2012 and so those two nations have qualified automatically. The rest of Europe gathered in Warsaw as the qualifying draw was made.
Split into six pots dependant upon their seeding and then drawn into nine qualifying groups, the nine group winners will automatically qualify along with the best second placed side. The remaining eight second placed teams will attempt to qualify via the playoffs.
So who did the home nations draw?
England
The only home nation to have competed in the European Championships since Scotland in 1996, England were seeded in pot one and therefore avoided being drawn against heavyweights Germany, France, Portugal, current World Champions Italy and the defending European Champions Spain. England were drawn into Group G where they will face Montenegro, Dimitar Berbatov's Bulgaria, Switzerland and fellow home nation Wales who they also faced in qualification for the World Cup in 2006.
Manager Fabio Capello refused to comment on John Terry, but did give his opinion on the draw. He told BBC Sport:
"All four opponents are really dangerous," he said. "Wales will be my first derby as manager of an international team. It will be interesting. They are really young but the value of the players is high.
"Switzerland qualified for the World Cup; they are one of the best teams. I remember when I played against them it was not easy to win away.
"I have big confidence in my team and I am sure we will play a fantastic qualifying tournament for 2012."
Wales
Welsh Manager John Toshack is looking forward to the game against England and told BBC Sport "Without doubt, drawing England will please all the Welsh fans - plenty of history there and we like nothing better than another chance against the old enemy,"
Republic of Ireland
After the disappointment of failing to qualify for the World Cup, Irish fans would have been relishing being drawn against France for an opportunity to put to bed the ghost of the Thierry Henry handball. The Irish didn't draw the French however, but they can be confident of qualification for their first major tournament since the 2002 World Cup after a favourable draw.
Ireland will face Russia, Slovakia, Andorra, Armenia and Macedonia.
Northern Ireland
Drawn in pot three after a relatively successful campaign in qualifying for the World Cup (albeit missing out), Nigel Worthington's side have been given the toughest draw of the home nations as they face current World Champions Italy, England's World Cup opponents Slovenia, Serbia, Estonia and the Faroe Islands.
Scotland
Scotland also have a tough group after being drawn from pot three as they face defending European Champions Spain and the Czech Republic. New boss Craig Levein said
"I am pretty sure that the Scotland fans will be looking forward to Spain coming to Hampden and to a little holiday over there.
"It is no secret that Spain should be favourites to win the group if they play as they can but it might be easier in a five-team group to get that second place.
European Qualification
The qualification campaign begins in September of this year and will continue through until October 2011 with the playoffs being held in November.
Sources: BBC SPORT
Adam Conroy - Despite not being an experienced writer, I have had a love of all things sport since a young age. I have travelled both the country and ...
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