Denmark and Portugal set for reunion

Denmark were grateful to have avoided European champions Spain after being drawn in Group H with Norway, Iceland, Cyprus and a seeded Portugal team they pipped for top spot in their FIFA World Cup qualifying section. Portugal were ultimately undone by Denmark's 3-2 comeback win in Lisbon, before advancing to South Africa through the play-offs, and their coach Carlos Queiroz expects "some good matches" in what is one of three five-team groups for UEFA EURO 2012.

Carlos Queiroz, Portugal coach
It is a good group for us, an exciting group that will guarantee us some good matches. It is better to be in a five-team group because the dates are more flexible and we have more time to prepare for matches. You rarely get that opportunity to prepare for games much in advance and I am sure we will take full advantage of it.

Peter Bonde, Denmark assistant coach
As the draw went on, it occurred to me that we risked ending up in the same group as Spain – I am delighted we did not [getting Portugal instead]. There are going to be a lot of interesting matches in this group. We know Portugal from World Cup qualification and we know Norway and Iceland very well too. This is a difficult but definitely reasonable draw.

Egil Olsen, Norway coach
We are quite happy with the draw. We are in a very tight group. Any team can beat anyone else. In my opinion Iceland were the strongest side in pot 5, and the fact Iceland and Cyprus can beat anybody at home makes it a very interesting group. Portugal are strong – they were very unlucky against Denmark in World Cup qualifying, especially in Portugal. Portugal are the best team in the group, but I think they suit us as opponents. We can give them the ball most of the time, but maybe we can score [on the break].

Angelos Anastasiadis, Cyprus coach
We have opportunities in this group and we will do everything to chase our targets. Portugal and Denmark are very different teams, but they are both very tough sides with vast experience. Cyprus and Norway will be aiming to make a big push in the group, while I believe Iceland will be a little behind the rest. Basically, every team will have a big battle on their hands.

Ólafur Jóhannesson, Iceland coach
The only thing I would change is to be in a six-team group which would give us one nation lower ranked than we are. But the travel distances are fine, and we know the other teams having recently faced Norway and Denmark, which is where many of my squad play. We also have a friendly against Cyprus in March. Portugal are a great team and it will be great for Icelanders to see them here – or even for us to win the game because there is always a chance in football.