World Cup champion Italy headlines the Euro 2008 'Group of Death' after being drawn against France, Romania and the Netherlands.

The two World Cup finalists will face Marco Van Basten's Netherlands as well as up-and-coming Romania, who finished above the Dutch in their qualifying group, when the tournament kicks off in Switzerland and Austria next June.

The co-hosts, among the top seeds, also found themselves with a considerable mountain to climb following the draw.

The Swiss face the Czech Republic in the opening game of the tournament on June 7 and also have to meet Portugal and Turkey, while Austria take on Slaven Bilic's Croatia, three-time champions Germany and Poland.

Holders Greece will kick-off the defence of their title against Sweden and also face Spain and Russia.

The final will take place in Vienna on June 29.

Euro 2008 Finals draw

Group A: Switzerland, Czech Republic, Portugal, Turkey

Group B: Austria, Croatia, Germany, Poland

Group C: Netherlands, Italy, Romania, France

Group D: Greece, Sweden, Spain, Russia

Italy beat France on penalties to win the World Cup last year and also faced the French in the qualifying competition for 2008 - the same group as Scotland who gave both of them a scare before narrowly falling at the final hurdle.

The two big guns have met three times in the Euro finals but one of them could exit unless they both get past the Netherlands and Romania.

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni said: "We didn't have an easy qualification group and we haven't been lucky here either."

"I had a gut feeling on the way here it would turn out like this."

PA Sport