Portugal were left dejected after Tuesday's 2-1 defeat to Denmark in Copenhagen condemned Paulo Bento's side to the Euro 2012 qualification playoffs. Despite the defeat, Portugal are one of four teams seeded for the playoff draw in Kiev on Thursday.
Portugal were left dejected after Tuesday's 2-1 defeat to Denmark in Copenhagen condemned Paulo Bento's side to the Euro 2012 qualification playoffs. Despite the defeat, Portugal are one of four teams seeded for the playoff draw in Kiev on Thursday.
Ireland will also be seeded for the playoffs, which will take place over two legs in November, after a 2-1 victory over Armenia in a winner-takes-all match in Dublin. Defender Richard Dunne (left) scored Ireland's second and winning goal, before consoling Armenia's substitute goalkeeper Armenak Petrosyan at the final whistle.
Ireland will also be seeded for the playoffs, which will take place over two legs in November, after a 2-1 victory over Armenia in a winner-takes-all match in Dublin. Defender Richard Dunne (left) scored Ireland's second and winning goal, before consoling Armenia's substitute goalkeeper Armenak Petrosyan at the final whistle.
Czech Republic are also seeded, after they beat Scotland to the playoff spot in qualification Group I thanks to a 4-1 defeat of Lithuania. Scotland needed to match the Czech's result to keep alive their hopes of reaching next year's tournament in Poland and Ukraine, but Craig Levein's side suffered a 3-1 loss to world and European champions Spain.
Czech Republic are also seeded, after they beat Scotland to the playoff spot in qualification Group I thanks to a 4-1 defeat of Lithuania. Scotland needed to match the Czech's result to keep alive their hopes of reaching next year's tournament in Poland and Ukraine, but Craig Levein's side suffered a 3-1 loss to world and European champions Spain.
Croatia were already assured of their place in the playoffs before Tuesday's 2-0 win over Latvia. Slavan Bilic's team, who reached the quarterfinals of 2008, are the fourth and final seeded team in the draw.
Croatia were already assured of their place in the playoffs before Tuesday's 2-0 win over Latvia. Slavan Bilic's team, who reached the quarterfinals of 2008, are the fourth and final seeded team in the draw.
Turkey were the surprise package of the last European Championship four years ago, reaching the semifinals in Austria and Switzerland. Guus Hiddink's team secured their playoff berth with a 1-0 victory over Azerbaijan in Istanbul.
Turkey were the surprise package of the last European Championship four years ago, reaching the semifinals in Austria and Switzerland. Guus Hiddink's team secured their playoff berth with a 1-0 victory over Azerbaijan in Istanbul.
Samir Nasri's late penalty for France in Paris earned Les Blues a 1-1 draw against Bosnia on Tuesday. The goal was enough to earn France top spot in the group and force their opponents into the playoffs. Should Bosnia successfully navigate their two-legged tie, they would reach a major championship for the first time in their history.
Samir Nasri's late penalty for France in Paris earned Les Blues a 1-1 draw against Bosnia on Tuesday. The goal was enough to earn France top spot in the group and force their opponents into the playoffs. Should Bosnia successfully navigate their two-legged tie, they would reach a major championship for the first time in their history.
Montenegro's Andrija Delibasic scored a last-gasp equalizer to earn his side a 2-2 draw at home to England on Friday, securing their place in the playoffs. Should they qualify for Euro 2012, it would be the first time Montenegro have reached a major tournament.
Montenegro's Andrija Delibasic scored a last-gasp equalizer to earn his side a 2-2 draw at home to England on Friday, securing their place in the playoffs. Should they qualify for Euro 2012, it would be the first time Montenegro have reached a major tournament.
Estonia are another team bidding to reach their first major championship. Serbia's 1-0 defeat in Slovenia, coupled with Estonia's 2-1 win in Northern Ireland on Friday, was enough to secure Tarmo Ruutli's side a playoff spot.
Estonia are another team bidding to reach their first major championship. Serbia's 1-0 defeat in Slovenia, coupled with Estonia's 2-1 win in Northern Ireland on Friday, was enough to secure Tarmo Ruutli's side a playoff spot.
Euro 2012 playoff seeds announced

Story highlights

UEFA have announced the seeds for the Euro 2012 playoffs

Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Czech Republic and Croatia are the seeds

Turkey, Montenegro, Estonia and Bosnia Herzegovina complete the draw

The two-legged ties will be played on November 11/12 and 15

CNN  — 

UEFA have announced the seeds for the Euro 2012 playoffs, after the final round of qualifying matches were completed on Tuesday.

The four teams seeded for the draw are 2004 hosts and beaten finalists Portugal, Giovanni Trapattoni’s Republic of Ireland, Euro 1996 runners-up Czech Republic and Slaven Bilic’s Croatia.

The four other nations in the draw are 2008 semifinalists Turkey and three countries bidding to reach their first major soccer tournament – Montenegro, Estonia and Bosnia Herzegovina.

Denmark seal Euro 2012 spot after beating Portugal

The playoff draw will be made in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev on Thursday, with the two-legged ties set to be played on November 11/12 and 15.

Next year’s tournament will be the 14th European championship and will be co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine.