The task of putting 53 teams into nine qualifying groups for the tournament, to be held in France, was made Sunday in the host country's city of Nice. Here's the lowdown from the Euro 2016 draw: <strong>Holders</strong> Spain, who are going for a third successive European crown and a record fourth title overall, will be extremely confident of progressing from Group C, where they will face Ukraine, Slovakia, Belarus, Macedonia and Luxembourg. <strong>Friendly time</strong> France will get to face the winner of the 2013 Balon d'Or, <a href="http://www.thenational.ae/sport/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a>, as part of their preparations. The host nation, who qualify automatically, will play the five sides in Group I in friendlies, with the teams being Ronaldo's Portugal, Denmark, Serbia, Armenia and Albania. <strong>Gibraltar</strong> As debuts in the tournament go, Gibraltar, given entry by Uefa for the first time, face a tough time, drawn in Group G with three-time winners Germany, as well as Ireland, Poland, Scotland and Georgia. <strong>Going one better</strong> Italy were runners-up at Euro 2012, held in Poland and Ukraine, and the Italians, who have not won the title since 1968, will expect to have another tilt at success in France, having been put in Group H with Croatia, Norway, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan and Malta. <strong>Unpredictable</strong> While most of the groups have clear favourites as to who will advance, Group F is hardest to call. Greece, Hungary, Romania, Finland, Northern Ireland and the Faroe Islands are the six sides hoping to progress to the main event. <strong>* Graham Caygill<a href="http://www.thenational.ae/blogs/kit-bag/lowdown-on-euro-2016-draw/attachment/former-soccer-player-barthez-holds-the-trophy-of-the-euro-2016-surrounded-by-former-soccer-players-gullit-and-lizarazu-before-the-uefa-euro-2016-qualifying-draw-in-nice-2" rel="attachment wp-att-33488"> </a></strong>
