REPUBLIC TO START AGAINST ARMENIA

BBC SPORT
ootball/8588195.stm
2010/03/25 19:24:26 GMT

The Republic of Ireland will start their qualifying campaign for Euro
2012 with a trip to Armenia on 3 September.

The new Aviva Stadium in Dublin will host the clash against Andorra
four days later before the home match with Russia on 8 October.

The campaign ends against Armenia in Dublin on 11 October next year.

‘The early fixtures represent good opportunities for us and it
is always good to finish at home," said Republic manager Giovanni
Trapattoni.

He added: "On balance, these fixtures are better than those we had
in the previous World Cup qualification campaign.

"I also think the squad will have benefitted from the significant
steps forward made against top sides like Bulgaria, Montenegro, Italy,
France and Brazil."

Republic of Ireland qualifiers – Euro 2012 Group B

Armenia (A) Friday, 3 September 2010

Andorra (H) Tuesday 7 September 2010

Russia (H) Friday, 8 October 2010

Slovakia (A) Tuesday, 12 October 2010

Macedonia (H) Saturday, 26 March 2011

Macedonia (A) Saturday, 4 June 2011

Slovakia (H) Friday, 2 September 2011

Russia (A), Tuesday, 6 September 2011

Andorra (A) Friday, 7 October 2011

Armenia (H) Tuesday, 11 October 2011