There were gasps at the draw last December when World Cup finalists Italy and France were thrown together yet again alongside another European giant in Holland and Romania.
The group looks by some distance to be the toughest of the four and all games will be awaited with some anticipation.
The rivalry between Italy and France has grown to be the toughest in the continent in recent years.
Italy came out on top in the final at Germany 2006, but only on penalties after the great Zinedine Zidane was sent off for his infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi.
They were then pitched together in Euro 2008 qualifying with Italy again finishing with their noses in front after a tight battle which also involved Scotland.
Their meeting in Zurich in the final round of group fixtures will be one of the most hyped of the preliminary stage and the price for defeat could be elimination.
That is because Holland and Romania could well push both countries all the way.
Holland have been one of the great teams in football history and will feel they have a chance of glory, 20 years after the side of Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard pulled it off.
They have exciting attacking talent in Premier League stars Ryan Babel and Robin van Persie and great experience in Clarence Seedorf and Rafael van der Vaart.
The Dutch are a potent force but yet they still ended their qualifying campaign as runners-up to Romania and their rematch in Berne is another enticing prospect.
Romania shaded those last encounters, claiming a draw in Rotterdam and a 1-0 victory in Constanta.
They lost only after their qualification had been secured and after an eight-year absence from major competitions, they head west with high expectations.
Any two of the four could feasibly go through and the football in store could be mouth-watering.
The French boast attacking talent with the likes of Thierry Henry, Karim Benzema, Nicolas Anelka, David Trezeguet and Franck Ribery, with plenty more quality besides.
Italy have the solidity of Fabio Cannavaro and Gennaro Gattuso and the craft of Andrea Pirlo.
The bookmakers may favour Italy and France in the final reckoning but the group is too close to call. It is one to sit back and enjoy.
Key game: France v Italy, Tuesday June 17. Any one of the six games in the group has the potential to be the tournament's best, but the World Cup final rematch will be the one most watch.
Player to watch: Karim Benzema. Has emerged as a player of great talent with Lyon. This could be his chance to show it on a grander stage.
Prediction: French flair may finally get the better of Italy this time, allowing Holland to nick second place in the process.
The rivalry between Italy and France has grown to be the toughest in the continent in recent years.
Italy came out on top in the final at Germany 2006, but only on penalties after the great Zinedine Zidane was sent off for his infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi.
They were then pitched together in Euro 2008 qualifying with Italy again finishing with their noses in front after a tight battle which also involved Scotland.
Their meeting in Zurich in the final round of group fixtures will be one of the most hyped of the preliminary stage and the price for defeat could be elimination.
That is because Holland and Romania could well push both countries all the way.
Holland have been one of the great teams in football history and will feel they have a chance of glory, 20 years after the side of Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard pulled it off.
They have exciting attacking talent in Premier League stars Ryan Babel and Robin van Persie and great experience in Clarence Seedorf and Rafael van der Vaart.
The Dutch are a potent force but yet they still ended their qualifying campaign as runners-up to Romania and their rematch in Berne is another enticing prospect.
Romania shaded those last encounters, claiming a draw in Rotterdam and a 1-0 victory in Constanta.
They lost only after their qualification had been secured and after an eight-year absence from major competitions, they head west with high expectations.
Any two of the four could feasibly go through and the football in store could be mouth-watering.
The French boast attacking talent with the likes of Thierry Henry, Karim Benzema, Nicolas Anelka, David Trezeguet and Franck Ribery, with plenty more quality besides.
Italy have the solidity of Fabio Cannavaro and Gennaro Gattuso and the craft of Andrea Pirlo.
The bookmakers may favour Italy and France in the final reckoning but the group is too close to call. It is one to sit back and enjoy.
Key game: France v Italy, Tuesday June 17. Any one of the six games in the group has the potential to be the tournament's best, but the World Cup final rematch will be the one most watch.
Player to watch: Karim Benzema. Has emerged as a player of great talent with Lyon. This could be his chance to show it on a grander stage.
Prediction: French flair may finally get the better of Italy this time, allowing Holland to nick second place in the process.
Copyright (c) Press Association
Related Articles
Donadoni Wary Of The Spanish
Hiddink Sends Holland Crashing Out
