Ireland draw Spain in tough Euro 2012 group

The Republic of Ireland have today drawn Spain, Croatia and Italy in the Euro 2012 Championships.

The four teams were drawn together in Group C at a ceremony in Kiev tonight.

Ireland, appearing in the championships for the first time since 1988, will open against Croatia in Poznań on June 10.

They will then travel to Gdańsk to play Spain on June 14, before going back to Poznań to face Italy on June 18.

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni was upbeat after the draw and pleased to be facing his native Italy.

He told BBC Sport: “I am happy. It is impossible to say which group was better because we know our position, the ranking.

“We have to think in football that all is possible.

“We have to play with the same mentality – obviously all the teams are very difficult.

“But I am confident.”

England will face France, Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine in Group D.

Groups for Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine following today's draw:

Group A

Poland

Greece

Russia

Czech Republic

Group B

Holland

Denmark

Germany

Portugal

Group C

Spain

Italy

Republic of Ireland

Croatia

Group D

Ukraine

Sweden

France

England