Euro 2012: England face France while Ireland drawn with Spain

England will face France, Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine in the group stage of Euro 2012, which was drawn at a ceremony in Kiev tonight.

The four teams were drawn together in Group D.

The Republic of Ireland were handed a tough assignment in Group C alongside holders and world champions Spain, Italy and Croatia.

Fabio Capello’s side will begin their campaign against rivals France, whom they have not beaten in five meetings, in Donetsk on June 11.

England have chosen to base their training camp in the Polish city of Krakow but all their group games will now be played in Ukraine.

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

Yet it is the games against Spain, winners in 2008 and World Cup victors in South Africa last year, and 1968 champions Italy which will most excite their fans.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s men will travel to Gdansk to face Spain on June 14 and return to Poznan to play Italy four days later.

The other co-hosts Poland were drawn alongside Euro 2004 winners Greece, Russia and the Czech Republic in Group A.

Group B will comprise three past champions in Holland, Denmark and Germany as well as 2004 runners-up Portugal.

THE DRAW IN FULL

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