Europe's top football nations gather in Kiev on Friday to discover their fate when the draw takes place for Euro 2012 with all eyes looking out for the cliched 'Group of Death'.

While the clock ticks down to the Euro 2012 draw in Ukraine, organisers in fellow host country Poland say they are ready for anything as they wait to learn which qualified nations will play where.

Spanish sports stars including Rafael Nadal and Pep Gardiola have reacted with fury to comments from French tennis great Yannick Noah that doping was widespread in Spanish sport.

Football icons Barcelona on Wednesday launched their first European training school outside Spain in Poland, aiming to spread their "tiki-taka" style among kids dreaming of becoming the next Lionel Messi.

The Republic of Ireland ended years of frustration by reaching their first major finals since the 2002 World Cup as they qualified for Euro 2012 on Tuesday.

Croatia booked their ticket to the Euro 2012 finals with a 0-0 home draw ensuring a 3-0 aggregate victory after the second leg of their play-off against Turkey here on Tuesday.

Germany's in-form striker Mario Gomez admitted that despite his present goalscoring streak he still faced a battle with veteran Miroslav Klose to be their first choice striker at Euro 2012.

Practically disowned by his own press after the failure to qualify directly for Euro 2012, Croatia coach Slaven Bilic tasted revenge with his side's 3-0 away win over Turkey in the first leg of the playoffs on Friday.

Spain captain Iker Casillas will make an emotional return to Wembley when he wins a record-equalling 126th cap for the world champions in Saturday's friendly against England.

Euro 2012 qualifying enters its endgame on Friday with Portugal facing a tough assignment in Zenica and the Republic of Ireland in Tallinn hoping to erase the bitter memories of missing the boat to last year's World Cup.

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic said Thursday he was dreaming of avenging their dramatic Euro 2008 quarter-final defeat to Turkey after drawing Guus Hiddink's side in the play-offs for a place at Euro 2012.

UEFA president Michel Platini on Wednesday lauded Poland's preparations for Euro 2012, and said concerns over fellow-host Ukraine's ability to get ready had largely subsided.

Russia comfortably clinched their place at the Euro 2012 finals with a 6-0 win over qualifying group B minnows Andorra here on Tuesday.

Scotland manager Craig Levein sees no reason why a famous victory can't be achieved against world champions Spain on Tuesday that would guarantee his team a place in the Euro 2012 play-offs.

Speaking ahead of his side's final Euro 2012 qualifier against Scotland in Alicante, Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque insisted no one will receive preferential treatment when it comes to selecting his squad for next summer's finals.

Russia skipper Andrei Arshavin is determined to shine at the Euro 2012 finals and put his critics, who insisted that his heart wasn't with the national team, firmly in their place.

Ex-England coach Steve McClaren has resigned as Nottingham Forest manager after just 10 games in charge of the struggling Championship side, the former European champions confirmed on Sunday.

Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland will be looking for their maiden win over Germany on Tuesday at the 17th time of trying when the neighbours square off in a friendly in Gdansk.

With Germany to face Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland on Tuesday, coach Joachim Loew has played down the euphoria in the media here amidst growing expectations of winning the European title next June.

Veteran striker Miroslav Klose insists the current Germany team is the best he has played in after they became the first team to qualify for Euro 2012 when they hammered Austria 6-2.