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There is a Mediterranean flavour to Group B at Euro 2024 as defending champions Italy have been drawn alongside Spain, Croatia and Albania.
Former Arsenal left-back Sylvinho led Albania to the finals for only the second time in their history as they finished ahead of Czech Republic and Poland in qualifying Group E.
However, the underdogs face a daunting test against their illustrious section rivals, who all reached the Nations League Finals in June 2023.
Spain emerged victorious at that tournament, defeating Italy 2-1 in the semi-finals before beating Croatia on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes in the final.
Spain's Euro 2020 semi-final against Italy also went the distance, with the Azzurri progressing on penalties on their way to a similarly tense shootout victory over England in the final. Earlier in the tournament, La Roja had required extra-time to win 5-3 in a chaotic quarter-final against Croatia.
Those recent meetings between the big three in the group suggest a tight battle for top spot and Croatia can take advantage of any slip-ups from the market leaders.
Before finishing as Nations League runners-up, they had reached the 2022 World Cup semi-finals, knocking out favourites Brazil along the way, and coach Zlatko Dalic also took them to the World Cup final four years earlier.
Dalic leads a settled squad who conceded only four goals in eight qualifying matches against Turkey, Wales, Armenia and Latvia, with inspirational skipper Luka Modric and Manchester City pair Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic among the key men.
Spain are respected, having won their last six qualifiers by an aggregate score of 22-3. Manager Luis de la Fuente led a youthful La Roja side to the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics although this is his first major tournament since succeeding Luis Enrique.
La Roja thumped Costa Rica 7-0 in their opening game of the 2022 World Cup but disappointed thereafter, drawing with Germany, losing to Japan and going out on penalties to Morocco after a 0-0 last-16 draw.
Pedri, who starred at Euro 2020 as a teenager, has had an injury-hit season while his Barcelona teammate Gavi has been sidelined since November's qualifying victory over Georgia.
Spain's squad is still packed with quality and they look more likely trophy contenders than holders Italy, who have had a tough time since breaking English hearts in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.
The Azzurri failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, suffering a shock playoff defeat to North Macedonia, and lost at home and away to England in Euro 2024 qualifying.
Luciano Spalletti led Napoli to Serie A glory in 2022-23 but he has struggled to identify his strongest 11 since taking over the national team from Roberto Mancini in August 2023.
The Azzurri used 40 players in eight qualifying matches and they cannot afford a slip-up in their opening group fixture against Albania.
A defence featuring Lazio's Elseid Hysaj and Atalanta's Berat Djimsiti is Albania's strongest department and they conceded only four goals in eight qualifying games.
However, they drew 0-0 at home to the Faroe Islands in their final qualifier and March's friendly defeats to nil against Chile and Sweden do not bode well for their chances of causing an upset in a tough group.
Euro 2024
