Czech Republic, Spain, Belarus and Northern Ireland all stand in Englands way after the draw was made at UEFA Headquarters in Nyon. It provides England with the perfect opportunity to build on their recent successes in Euro 2005 and next year's World Cup in China.
And while head coach Hope Powell is taking nothing for granted, she admits the draw could have been far more testing. "I am very happy with the draw and there are a couple of groups which you'd have to say are tougher," she admitted.
"It's a bit strange to be looking ahead to another tournament when we're still nine months away from the World Cup, but it was great to see our name amongst the top seeds.
"The girls will go into this campaign for the first time ever as favourites to win the group and that will bring a different level of expectation, and perhaps pressure which we'll have to deal with too.
"We'll treat every qualifier as professionally as we treated each of our World Cup qualifiers and only be looking ahead to the next game, and no further."
Finland, who are hosting the tournament, are assured of qualification and eleven teams will join them with the winners of each group assured of their place at the finals.
England last played Northern Ireland at the Algarve Cup in the build-up to Euro 2005, when a brace from Vicky Exley and goals from Karen Carney and Rachel McArthur sealed a 4-0 victory. It is likely that the Irish will provide England's first game of the qualifiers, with a tie in England pencilled in for May 2007.
However, Powell insists England will have to be at full tilt if they are to fulfil their status as favourites. "At Walsall in May 2005 we found ourselves a goal down and it wasn't until the second half that we turned things around," said Powell, referring to their last meeting with the Czech Republic.
"In their World Cup Qualifying group they finished second behind Sweden and gave them two very close games, so we will definitely not be underestimating them."
Spain last played Powell's girls at Kenilworth Road in 2001 when England recorded a 4-2 win, and as European Under 19 Champions in 2004, are a side growing in stature in the women's game.
Belarus meanwhile, are an unknown quantity, as they have not played against England since The FA took over the running of the senior side back in 1993.
The six runners-up and four third-placed teams with the best record against the nations finishing first, second and fourth in their groups will be drawn into five two-legged play-offs for the remaining spots in the summer 2009 finals.
While Germany are going for a fifth straight title since 1995 - and seventh overall - 2005 runners-up Norway are hoping for a third European crown. Czech Republic are currently 19th in the FIFA World rankings, Spain are ranked 20th, Belarus 41st and Northern Ireland currently 77th.
