Italy and the 15 other qualifiers will find out the identity of their Euro 2012 group opponents later today when the draw takes place in Kiev.
The Ukraine ceremony will kick off at 17.00 UK time where UEFA will split the 16 nations into four groups of four.
Given that co-hosts Poland and the Ukraine have been named as top seeds, Italy find themselves in pot two along with Germany, England and Russia.
Italy and the 15 other qualifiers will find out the identity of their Euro 2012 group opponents later today when the draw takes place in Kiev.
The Ukraine ceremony will kick off at 17.00 UK time where UEFA will split the 16 nations into four groups of four.
Given that co-hosts Poland and the Ukraine have been named as top seeds, Italy find themselves in pot two along with Germany, England and Russia.
The Azzurri, who breezed through qualification, will therefore be unable to meet those last three teams in the group section.
A best-case scenario for Cesare Prandelli’s side, on paper at least, could be a group containing Poland, Greece and the Czech Republic.
Yet they could be included in a ‘Group of Death’ by being placed with reigning champions Spain, Portugal and France.
Italy boss Prandelli, though, is ready for any eventuality.
“I’d like to avoid Giovanni Trapattoni’s Republic of Ireland,” he told Radio Sportiva. “But, we’ll be content with whoever we get.
“We are just happy that we are part of the championship and we know that we can have an excellent tournament.
“The principle objective is to get the fans attached to the Italy shirt again and that’s why the players always take to the field with the right spirit.”
Pot one: Poland [Group A], Spain, Holland, Ukraine [Group D]
Pot two: Germany, Italy, England, Russia
Pot three: Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Sweden
Pot four: Denmark, France, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland