Intro:

Italy look ahead to the Euro 2012 Championship in Poland and the Ukraine.

Script:

Italy will be looking to put their first round exit at the 2010 World Cup firmly behind them when they kick of their Euro 2012 Championship campaign.

Their first round exit in South Africa was a huge disappointment, but now under the guidance of Cesare Prandelli Italy's prospects have improved dramatically.

They won eight out of their ten qualifying games, drawing the other two.

Drawn in Group C, Croatia, the Republic of Ireland and Spain will be Italy's main competition.

But Prandelli believes none of the teams should be underestimated.

SOUNDBITE (Italian) Italy coach Cesare Prandelli:

"The teams are those three everybody is talking about, we are not saying anything new: at the moment we have Netherlands, Germany and Spain, they are also among the first in the world rankings. Obviously they deserved a lot of credit, but obviously we are now focused on our group, we can't think about anything other than going through the group stage first, which is why at the moment Croatia for us is dangerous as much as those other teams."

Italy will face European and World Champions Spain in their opening match on 10th June.