Germany coach Joachim Loew says he wishes the world champions had drawn Italy in their Euro 2016 group, because he has a score to settle with the Azzurri.

Germany have drawn Ukraine, Poland and Northern Ireland in Group C of next June's tournament in France, while Italy are in Group E along with Sweden, Ireland and Belgium.

But Loew says he hopes his side meets Italy during the knock-out stages, so he can finally taste victory after two defeats at the hands of the Azzurri.

Germany lost 2-0 to Italy in the 2006 World Cup semi-final after extra-time when Loew as assistant coach and then went down 2-1 six years later in the last four of Euro 2012, when he was head coach.

"I was twice involved when we lost important matches against Italy," said Loew.

"At some point, I want to play against them again and I want to beat them."

Italy are Germany's bogey team in international competition as they have never beaten the Azzurri in eight attempts either at the finals of a World Cup or a European championships.

Loew will have his chance to taste victory over Italy, albeit in a friendly, when Germany host England in Berlin, then Italy in Munich, next March in two key games as part of their Euro 2016 preparations.

Loew says Poland are Germany's biggest threat in the battle to win Group C having shocked the world champions with a 2-0 win in Warsaw in 2014 before losing 3-1 to the Germans in September during Euro 2016 qualifiers.

"They have made tremendous progress over the last five or six years and played two big qualifying matches against us," said Loew, who says Bayern Munich's Poland striker Robert Lewandowski is their biggest threat.

"We must improve 100 percent compared to our qualifying campaign, but if we are well prepared then we will be amongst the favourites."