ENGLAND could be plunged into a Group of Death or a Group of Debt at the Euro 2012 finals this summer.

The Three Lions are in the second group of seeds for the draw to be made in Kiev in Ukraine on December 2.

It means they could be pitted against world and European champs Spain, Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal and former World Cup holders France for the first three matches next June.

Spain are ranked the No 1 international team in the world for their recent glories — despite losing 1-0 at Wembley last Saturday.

But their credit rating in the financial field is strictly second rate. Last year it was reduced from AAA to AA+ while the Spanish government imposes drastic cuts to ease a huge budget deficit. England could also be placed in a group alongside the crisis-torn Greeks, who nearly brought the EU crashing down over its money problems.

They have been placed among the third seeds, while Ireland's qualification to the finals via a play-off win over Estonia has lifted the mood as the Emerald Isle also fights to get the country's finances back on an even keel.

Typically, the German economy is in better shape while the rest of Europe wrestles with the biggest recession in more than 80 years.

Unemployment is far lower there than over here and inflation is half that in the UK.

England also get to avoid them in the group stage because they will be alongside us in pot two.

Co-hosts Poland and Ukraine are given top seeding to try to prolong home interest in the tournament next summer.