Marathon man Capello rules out Krakow switch

England manager Fabio Capello has insisted his team will not switch from their planned Euro 2012 base in Krakow, Poland, even though all three of their group games will be played up to 1,500km away in the Ukraine. England drew co-hosts the Ukraine, Sweden and old enemies France in Group D during Friday's Euro 2012 draw. England open their campaign on Monday June 11 against France in Donetsk, then take on Sweden in Kiev on Friday June 15, before returning to the Ukraine for the third time to play the co-hosts in Donetsk on Tuesday June 19. It means Capello's team will need to twice fly 1,500kms from their Krakow base to Donetsk, plus a 800km flight to Kiev, which hosts the Euro 2012 final on July 1. But the Italian insists England will stick to the usual travel plans of flying in the day before matches and will not move from their luxury hotel in the heart of Krakow's old town. "Absolutely not, there is no way we will change," said the 65-year-old. "We have found a really good place and we are happy with the facilities, we will not be moving. "We often fly in and out from England for our (Euro 2012) qualification games, so this will be the same. "When we fly to Montenegro or the Ukraine, we always flew in the day before and left soon after, so this is no different. Anyway, I prefer to stay in Krakow where we have really good facilities." The Italian said he was glad to have avoided both Group B, containing Holland, Germany, Denmark and Portugal, and Group C, which includes defending champions Spain, Italy, the Republic of Ireland and Croatia. England beat both Spain and Sweden 1-0 in friendlies last month, but Capello insists that will count for nothing when the tournament starts on June 8. "I think Groups C and B were worse, but this one won't be easy. It's a tough group," he said, having lost at home to France in a friendly in November 2010. "I am happy, because I know all about the teams, but every game will be difficult. "We have played Sweden and France and they were two tough games. "It's always hard to play the hosts and to play France in the first game will also be very tough. I know the value of these teams." England striker Wayne Rooney is banned for the group matches of Euro 2012 after being sent off in the final qualifier against Montenegro in October and Capello says he hopes the player will get some leniency in next week's appeal hearing. "I hope Wayne will stay with us, I hope the appeal will allow us to have him," said the Italian. "I hope he will be okay and I need to wait for the decision." Capello says Euro 2012 will be his final tournament as England manager and says along with Holland and Spain, he sees Portugal being potential winners, but is confident his team can challenge for the title. "The England team will be at the top of their preparations and if we are prepared, we can beat all the teams," he said. "I am confident, because I think the younger players who are doing well now will be important as they will bring a certain energy. "The mix between the young the senior players will be good. "We will certainly try (to win), I think it will be a tough tournament every game will be hard as the level of European football is high."