KYIV, Ukraine. Dec 2 (UEFA) - The 16 UEFA EURO 2012 contenders were placed into four hugely challenging groups by Friday's draw which pitted Poland against Greece in the opening game of the tournament.

Holders Spain will face Italy, Republic of Ireland and Croatia in Group C of UEFA EURO 2012 after Friday's final tournament draw at the Palace of Arts in Kyiv, Ukraine.

For the other co-host nation, who were seeded first in Group D, there are equally enticing challenges in store in six months' time: Ukraine will take on the might of Sweden, France and England. There also promises to be no quarter given in Group B where three former European champions – the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany – will come up against Portugal, the runners-up in 2004, in what is the toughest-looking section.

Draw
Group A (Warsaw/Wroclaw)
Poland (co-hosts)
Greece
Russia
Czech Republic

Group B (Kharkiv/Lviv)
Netherlands
Denmark
Germany
Portugal

Group C (Gdansk/Poznan)
Spain
Italy
Republic of Ireland
Croatia

Group D (Kyiv/Donetsk)
Ukraine (co-hosts)
Sweden
France
England