The heavyweight nations were drawn in Group C at a ceremony in Kiev alongside the Republic of Ireland and Croatia.

Holland, the world's second-ranked side, were handed a tough assignment with games against fellow former champions Germany and Denmark, and 2004 runners-up Portugal, in Group B.

Co-hosts Poland were placed in an open Group A with Greece, Russia and the Czech Republic while Ukraine, the other home side, will face Sweden, France and England in a tight Group D.

Spain will begin their title defence against Italy - to whom they lost a friendly last summer - in Gdansk on June 10.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli, whose side were unbeaten in qualifying, said: "Spain are very strong and we will have to be mentally prepared when it comes to the opening game against them.

"The fact that we beat them in a friendly certainly gives us courage because it means we can compete against them."

Italy's game against Ireland, which will take place in Poznan on June 14, will bring them up against one of their countrymen in Giovanni Trapattoni.

The veteran manager, 72, successfully guided Ireland through the play-offs to reach their first major tournament for 10 years.

Prandelli said: "All groups are difficult but we didn't want to meet Giovanni Trapattoni for many reasons.

"Knowing Trapattoni, he will try until the last second to achieve something prestigious.

"But the important thing is that we arrive prepared and with the right mentality because it's going to be a challenging group."

Ireland, 21 in the latest world rankings, will be one of the tournament's outsiders but Trapattoni was upbeat after the draw.

Trapattoni said: "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."

The tournament will begin when Poland, making only their second appearance in the championship, host 2004 winners Greece in Warsaw on June 8.

The Group B fixtures will be among the most eagerly-anticipated of the event.

Holland, victors in 1988, will start against 1992 winners Denmark in Kharkiv on June 9 with their clash with three-time champions Germany coming at the same venue four days later.

Ukraine will be making their European Championship debut but following the decline of their side in recent seasons - they are now 55 in the world rankings - progress could be difficult.

But goalscoring legend Andriy Shevchenko is confident and said: "Luckily we avoided stronger opponents, but we will need all the support that our fans will give us to be a success."

France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris also expects Ukraine to provide difficult opposition.

He said: "The draw could have been more difficult but now, whether it's England, Sweden or the Ukraine, they're opponents of a very good quality and it's never easy to play the host country.

"England are one of the biggest nations in football. They'll start as favourites in the group.

"Sweden, with Kim Kallstrom, are a very good team with a good squad that also possesses a huge individual in attack in Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

"Behind England, the Ukraine, Sweden and France will fight for second place."

England were also pleased with the draw despite the inconvenience playing all their group games in Ukraine will bring, having decided to base themselves in the Polish city of Krakow.

Manager Fabio Capello told BBC Sport: "Of the other groups, I think Group B is very difficult because Portugal, Germany and Holland are very tough.

"Probably the best group was Group A but we are happy with Group D.

"It is a tough group but better than Group B."

When asked whether he might want to change the location of the training camp, the Italian said: "Absolutely not because we have found a really good place.

"I am happy with the facilities and we will stay in the same place in Krakow."