(CNN) -- Spain's world champions will begin the defense of their European title against fellow football superpowers Italy next June, after both were drawn in Group C on Friday. That match in Gdansk will be the feature clash of the third day of the Euro 2012 finals, while the Republic of Ireland will take on Croatia in the other opening Group C fixture in Poznan. "It is a difficult draw. The 16 strongest teams are in this tournament so whatever team we came up against would have presented problems," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque told UEFA's website. Relive the draw as it happened
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Co-hosts Poland play 2004 winners Greece in opening game of Euro 2012
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Defending champions Spain take on Italy in Group C opener on June 10
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Group B features the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Portugal
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Co-hosts Ukraine in Group D with France, England and Sweden
"Given the circumstances, it is good that we will play our three games in @placeholder and we will not face Germany.