Qualifying round will showcase old rivalries

Relief for Germany. Apprehension for Spain, Italy, France, the Netherlands, England and Scotland as some of international soccer's oldest rivalries were rekindled in Saturday's qualifying draw for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

While defending champion Germany received a relatively kind draw, reaching the finals will be no easy task for some of Europe's traditional powers.

Italy, the 2006 champion, paid the price for recent poor results by once again being drawn to face 2010 winner Spain at the ceremony at Konstantin Palace.