Ukraine drawn with Hungary in play-offs
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Article summary
In the two-legged play-offs in September, Ukraine will play Hungary, Romania face Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina take on the Netherlands and Slovakia meet Croatia.
Article top media content
Article body
Two-time runners-up Ukraine will face Hungary in the UEFA Futsal EURO 2014 play-offs after the draw was made in Nyon.
By winning their main round groups in March, holders Spain, Italy, Russia, Slovenia, Portugal, Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic earned berths alongside hosts Belgium in Antwerp from 28 January to 8 February. The last four slots will be filled by the two-legged play-off ties – scheduled for 17 and 24 September – involving the seven main round runners-up and the best third-placed team, Slovakia.
Ukraine were runners-up in 2001 and 2003 and have not failed to qualify since, but under new coach Yevgen Ryvkin will need to beat Hungary to make it to Antwerp, having already eliminated that nation en route to the 2012 finals.
By contrast, Bosnia and Herzegovina hope to earn a final tournament debut and are matched with the Netherlands, who last qualified in 2005. Also in the draw, made by former Spain captain Kike, Croatia – semi-finalists on home soil last year – take on Slovakia, while two 2012 quarter-finalists are matched in the shape of Romania and Serbia.
Play-off draw
(first named team at home first)
Ukraine v Hungary
Romania v Serbia
Bosnia and Herzegovina v Netherlands
Slovakia v Croatia