WARSAW: The Armenian national football team has been dealt one of its kindest-ever qualifying draws for a major tournament. To qualify for EURO 2012, Armenia will have to qualify from a group containing Andorra, Macedonia, Slovakia, the Republic of Ireland and Russia.
While the Republic of Ireland, coached by Italian legend Giovanni Trapattoni, and Guus Hiddink's Russia will be the short-priced favourites to top snare the top two spots of the group, Armenia will fancy its chances against Andorra, Macedonia and Slovakia - the latter being the strongest of the minnows.
Although still unlikely to qualify for the Championships that will be co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, Armenian football fans will expect a best-ever showing by its very slowly improving national team.
The home and away fixtures against neighbours Russia will certainly be the highlight.
Meanwhile, Turkey and Azerbaijan have been drawn together alongside Germany, Kazakhstan, Belgium and Austria in Group A.
Euro 2012 qualifying draw:
GROUP A: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Belgium, Austria, Turkey, Germany
GROUP B: Andorra, ARMENIA, Macedonia, Republic of Ireland, Slovakia, Russia
GROUP C: Faroe Islands, Estonia, Slovenia, Northern Ireland, Serbia, Italy
GROUP D: Luxembourg, Albania, Belarus, Bosnia, Romania, France
GROUP E: San Marino, Moldova, Hungary, Finland, Sweden, Netherlands
GROUP F: Malta, Georgia, Latvia, Israel, Greece, Croatia
GROUP G: Montenegro, Wales, Bulgaria, Switzerland, England
GROUP H: Iceland, Cyprus, Norway, Denmark, Portugal
GROUP I: Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Scotland, Czech Republic, Spain
