NICE, France -- Two-time defending European champion Spain faces a seemingly comfortable road to defend its title at Euro 2016 after being drawn Sunday with Luxembourg, Macedonia, Belarus, Slovakia and Ukraine for the qualifiers. "Its not as easy a group as it might appear to some. We are facing emerging teams who are young and strong," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said of the Group C draw. "The cold conditions could play a role in the group because many of the trips will be to teams from the east." The Netherlands was drawn in a tougher-looking Group A and faces the Czech Republic, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Iceland and Latvia. "The Dutch are the favourites. Together with them, it will be us, Turkey and Iceland fighting to advance," Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech said. "We have to cope with it if we want to go to France." There will be eight groups of six teams and one of five, each playing home and away. The top two teams from the nine groups qualify, along with the best third-placed side. The eight remaining third-placed sides will contest play-offs with four spots at stake. Host France is the 24th team and automatically qualified. It will play matches in Group I, but no points will be awarded for their matches. UEFA made the change because host nations can struggle to arrange suitable friendlies while others focus on qualification. Germany, the runner-up to Spain at Euro 2008, is in Group D and has potentially awkward matches against the Republic of Ireland and Poland -- led by Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski -- with Gibraltar, Georgia and Scotland also in the group. "The matches against Scotland will be great occasions," Republic of Ireland manager Martin ONeill said. "It looks like a group, Germany apart, where teams might take points off each other." England will be pleased with what looks like a winnable Group E featuring Switzerland, San Marino, Lithuania, Estonia and Slovenia. "Im very satisfied, in particular for the fans. Weve had some quite tough trips to get to in recent years, but theres some good places to visit," England coach Roy Hodgson said. "The name Switzerland always brings a smile to my face because they were four fantastic years (as national team coach)." But Wales bid to qualify might mean going through the playoffs as Group B contains Eden Hazards Belgium and the attacking strength of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is completed by Andorra, Cyprus and Israel. "Im happy, positive," Wales coach Chris Coleman said. "We managed to get a point in Belgium (in World Cup qualifying) and were unlucky at home." Belgium coach Marc Wilmots was happy overall. "I am not going to say it is a beautiful draw, because every match is difficult," Wilmots said. "But I will return home feeling satisfied." Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed out on this years World Cup after Sweden was beaten by Portugal in a thrilling playoff, but the prolific Paris Saint-Germain forward should grace the fields of France in two years time. Sweden and Russia are likely to lead Group G, where Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro and Austria look to be up against it. Italy, runners-up to France in 2000 and Spain in 2012, will be confident of winning Group H, despite facing Croatia, Norway and Bulgaria. The other teams are Malta and Azerbaijan. "Its a very demanding group, we will have to prepare ourselves well," Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said. "Were not facing Belgium or Switzerland but I dont think Croatia is inferior to them. Croatia and Bulgaria are potential group winners." Group F, however, seems to be the most open one and it is hard to call the top two from 2004 champion Greece, Finland, Romania, improving Northern Ireland and Hungary. All of them should take maximum points against perpetual minnow, the Faeroe Islands. Having guided Portugal to the World Cup with a brilliant playoff performance against Sweden -- outshining even Ibrahimovic -- Cristiano Ronaldo will need to find his scoring touch to keep Portugal ahead of Serbia and Denmark in Group I, and trips to Albania and Armenia are sometimes tricky. France completes Group I, although Didier Deschamps team has no bearing on the outcome. "Its pretty good to play a team like Portugal, they will be prestigious matches," Deschamps said. Stitched Mets Jerseys . -- The Minnesota Vikings released reserve cornerback A. Wholesale Mets Jerseys .Y. - The Philadelphia Eagles game at Green Bay against the Packers on Nov. https://www.cheapmetsjerseys.us/. After a first half in which he thought "the lid was on the basket," the Toronto Raptors coach watched his squad mount a second half surge to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 98-91. New York Mets Pro Shop . The English Football Association had charged the German right back with violent conduct after retrospectively reviewing video evidence of an incident that was missed by match officials at Craven Cottage on Saturday. Mets Jerseys China . Chan captured two silver medals at last months Sochi Winter Games — mens singles and the inaugural team event. But he doesnt have the urge to resume training to defend his world title when the event is held in Saitama, Japan, later this month. If this is the end for @SteveNash, SPECTACULAR job of making the game better.. #1stBallotHOF — Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) October 24, 2014 So sad to hear the news about my good friend @SteveNash. Best wishes to you in your recovery man! #CanadianBasketballIcon #ChangedTheGame — Nik Stauskas (@NStauskas11) October 24, 2014 The Steve Nash Suns changed the NBA forever. I will miss watching him play basketball. — Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) October 24, 2014 I will never forget @SteveNashs play and selfless leadership at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. It was unlike anything Ive witnessed since. — steve simmons (@simmonssteve) October 24, 2014 Prayers of healing for you @SteveNash #TrueProfessional #NervesAreCrazy — Landry Fields (@landryfields) October 24, 2014 Steve Nash on Rap City, forever: https://t.co/U7QjvnPU6X — Eric Koreen (@ekoreen) October 24, 2014 I am deeply saddened for @SteveNash -at the very least he deserved to go out on his terms! An amazing story-celebrate his career! #2XMVP — Leo Rautins (@LeoRautins) October 24, 2014 Steve Nash ?? https://t.co/kmfolN2mO5 — Ball Is Life Vines (@BALLISLlFEVINES) October 24, 2014 If thhis is the end.dddddddddddd..thank you @SteveNash pic.twitter.com/lcfPk4nIYQ — Nabil Karim (@NabilKarimTSN) October 24, 2014 Damn damn damn. Hate to see Steve Nash go out like this. 1 of the best PGs to ever play the game! — Isaiah Thomas (@Isaiah_Thomas) October 24, 2014 Sorry to hear The news my man @SteveNash — Nick Young (@NickSwagyPYoung) October 24, 2014 Hes out for the season as a player but we still need his knowledge to help #Lin17 develop. #SteveNash is a first ballot HOF player who has 2 #MVP trophies. He can still contribute Big Time and I consider him a valuable #asset ???????????????? #askthecoach @coachdavemiller A photo posted by ?MisterLakers (@misterlakers) on Oct 10, 2014 at 6:23pm PDT Sad to see #CaptainCanada go like this, but health is most important. Thanks for everything, its been a pleasure. #LAlakers #stevenash #nashty #mvp #lakers A photo posted by LOYAL to a TEE (@loyaltoatee) on Oct 10, 2014 at 6:08pm PDT Been a privilege to watch @SteveNash Definitely my top 5 all time..Sad to see him end his illustrious career this way http://t.co/lHcPbmnqRl — Brian Lee (@iam_robot) October 24, 2014 ' ' '