Euro 2012: England to meet France, Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine

That means Fabio Capello’s side, who will be based in Poland, will play all their group games in the Ukraine.

The Republic of Ireland, who are in a major tournament for the first time in 10 years, have been handed a particularly tricky group.

They will meet European and world champions Spain, Italy and first of all Croatia in Group C.

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.

Group A: Poland, Greece, Russia, Czech Republic

Group B: Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Portugal

Group C: Spain, Italy, Ireland, Croatia

Group D: Ukraine, Sweden, France, England

For a full review, reaction and a Euro 2012 wallchart, pick up a copy of Saturday’s Yorkshire Post.