Luck of the Irish runs out at Euro 2012 draw

Republic of Ireland are drawn with world champs Spain, Croatia and Italy as hosts Poland and Ukraine dodge tricky groups

EURO 2012 Final
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The match ball for Euro 12 – Tango 12 – was revealed before the groups for the competition were [GALLO/GETTY]

The groups for the 2012 European Championships were revealed on Friday after the draw was held in Kiev, Ukraine.

Ukraine’s co-hosts Poland managed to avoid the tough teams with Greece, Russia and the Czech Republic giving the nation a good chance of qualifying out of Group A.

The Ukraine will also consider themselves lucky drawing England, who will fancy their chances of qualification alongside France and Sweden in Group D.

The Republic of Ireland who qualified for the finals after victory in a play-off against Estonia are in a tough Group C with world champions Spain, Croatia and Italy.

Group B appears to be the group of death with serious title contenders Netherlands, Germany and Portugal joined by Denmark, who like Ireland, did not have the luck of the draw.

The first game of the finals will see Poland face Greece in Warsaw on June 8th 2012. The final will be held in Kiev on July 1st.

Group A

Poland
Greece
Russia
Czech Republic

Group B

Netherlands
Denmark
Germany
Portugal

Group C

Spain
Italy
Republic of Ireland
Croatia

Group D

Ukraine
Sweden
France
England

Source: Al Jazeera