The European Championship group stage features an encounter between Germany and Poland, i.e. between FCB's Germany internationals and Robert Lewandowski. Both sides have already faced off in the Euro qualifiers. Germany also take on Ukraine and Northern Ireland, so the world champions will consider it a manageable group. Germany open against Ukraine in Lille on 12 June 2015, the matches against Poland on 16 June and Northern Ireland on 21 June take place in Paris (Stade de France and Parc des Princes).
The other Bayern internationals are not in ‘groups of death’ either. Hosts France with Kingsley Coman play the EURO opening match against Romania. They are joined by Albania and Switzerland. David Alaba and his Austrian team-mates take on Portugal, Iceland and Hungary. Spain with midfield maestro Thiago face Turkey, the Czech Republic and Croatia.
51 matches at ten stadiums
Because of the new tournament format featuring 24 teams, not only the two top teams of each group get through to the Round of 16, but also the four best third-placed sides. A total of 51 matches at ten stadiums are scheduled from 10 June to 10 July.
One of the assistants drawing the lots was former Bayern pro Bixente Lizarazu. He was joined by Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff, Angelos Charisteas (Greece), David Trezeguet (France) and Antonin Panenka (Czech Republic), each of whom scored the European Championship winning goal for their sides.
