Soccer:Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has admitted he wanted to avoid a meeting with his compatriot Giovanni Trapattoni when the draw for the Euro 2012 group stages was made in Kiev this evening.

The Italian was speaking after Italy and the Republic of Ireland grouped with Croatia and world and European champions Spain.

Prandelli has already seen his side lose 2-0 to Ireland this year, when they met on neutral territory in Liege in June.

"It's a very difficult group. We didn't want to meet Trapattoni for many reasons. Plus we'll meet the world champions. We have to be well prepared in June, because it will be a very tough tournament for us," Prandelli said to Rai television.

"I don't know who will be the worst opponent between Croatia and Ireland, it will depend on the physical shape in June.

"I know that Trapattoni will try to get the best results until the end. Trapattoni told me that he wanted to bring Ireland to train in Italy before the tournament, but now he will change his plans. We will stay in Krakow."

He added: "Spain are very strong, for the first game against them we must arrive mentally prepared."

The Azzurri were very convincing in qualification when they claimed 26 points out of 30 and scored 20 goals while conceding just two.

Ireland fans can, however, can take comfort in the fact Italy’s group was proved a weak one in the end, with Estonia finishing second before being beaten 5-1 on aggregate by Trapattoni’s men in the play-offs.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque agreed the Group C is a tricky, but seemed most concerned by Italy.

"We have in our group a team with more prestige like Italy and two sides that went through the playoffs with authority," he told his national soccer federation's website.

"As far as Italy go, our first opponents, we played them recently (and lost) and they are a very strong team. Group B looks the toughest but it will be a very competitive European championship."

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic, whose side were held to a 0-0 draw in Dublin in August, described Trapattoni as a “genius”

"It is a tough group but you can't get easy opponents, it's the 16 best teams in Europe," he said. "We are privileged to play the world champions (Spain) and the former world champions (Italy).

"Spain are the favourites. Trapattoni is also a genius and a top man and I am looking forward to playing against him."