Reigning Champions of Europe Italy have been paired with Spain, Croatia and Albania in the EURO 2024 group phase draw.
The Azzurri scraped through in second place behind England, level on points with Ukraine, but thanks to a superior head-to-head record.
This left the reigning champions as fourth seeds in today’s draw, which began at 17.00 GMT in Hamburg.
There are also three gaps in the draw, as those will go to the teams that make it through the play-offs in March.
Those sides are divided into Path A (Wales, Poland, Finland, Estonia), Path B (Ukraine, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iceland, Israel) and Path C (Greece, Georgia, Luxembourg, Kazakhstan)..
The EURO 2024 tournament runs from June 14 to the Final on July 14.
Italy won the EURO 2020 title, played in the summer of 2021 due to the pandemic, beating England on penalties at Wembley Stadium.
Group A
Germany
Scotland
Hungary
Switzerland
Group B
Spain
Croatia
Italy
Albania
Group C
Slovenia
Denmark
Serbia
England
Group D
Play-Off Winner Path A
Netherlands
Austria
France
Group E
Belgium
Slovakia
Romania
Play-Off Winner Path B
Group F
Turkey
Play-Off Winner Path C
Portugal
Czechia
Pretty tough draw for Italy, but that was to be expected given the fourth seed situation.
But it’s doable if they have a full squad to choose from. Spain and Croatia aren’t as strong as they used to be either.
Agreed Ferban. If everyone is healthy, I think we can definitely get through this group
With best 3rd place team going through they can make it but will be tough
Forget it. We’ll be lucky to finish third.
Albania have a lot of guys that play in Serie A. Nobody talking about them, but they’ll give Italy trouble as well.
Italy. Its like a lottery. The chances are not in their favour.
I think italy may surprise quite few people. Forza Italia.