England's Raheem Sterling (2nd R) vies with Italy's Giorgio Chiellini (2nd L) and Leonardo Bonucci during the Euro 2020 final in London on July 11, 2021. (Xinhua/Han Yan)
Reigning European champions Italy have been drawn in Euro 2024 qualifying Group C with England, Ukraine, North Macedonia and Malta.
BERLIN, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Euro 2020 finalists will meet again in the qualifiers for Euro 2024, as defending champions Italy were pitted in the same group with England in Sunday's draw.
After beating England in a penalty shootout in the Euro 2020 final last year, Italy failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup after a shock defeat in their qualifying playoff against North Macedonia. The reigning European champions have been drawn in qualifying Group C with England, Ukraine, North Macedonia and Malta for Euro 2024.
"I knew that we would get either England or France, but it's OK. It's a decent five-team group, no easy matches, all ones we can have a go at," said Italy head coach Roberto Mancini.
The other big clash is in Group B as reigning world champions France will face the Netherlands, Ireland, Greece and Gibraltar.
Euro 2024 finals will feature 24 teams including host nation Germany, who qualify automatically. 53 UEFA member teams have been allocated into ten qualifying groups, with the top two teams in each group getting direct qualifications for Euro 2024. The remaining three teams will be decided through a series of playoffs. ■
