Italy start Futsal EURO title defence in Poland
Friday, September 26, 2014
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Italy, who in February won the UEFA European Futsal Championship for the second time, will begin their title defence in Poland following the preliminary and main round draws.
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Holders Italy will face Belarus and Poland after the draw was made for UEFA Futsal EURO 2016 qualifying.
Of the record entry of 46 teams – among them hosts Serbia – 24 will start in January's preliminary round, including debutants Scotland. They play Israel, Armenia and Sweden, with the six preliminary group winners and best runners-up through to the main round, which was also drawn today.
At that stage there will be seven groups, with Italy up against the winners of preliminary round Group B as well as Belarus and Poland. Spain – who missed out on a fifth straight title in Antwerp last February, coming in third – take on Hungary, FYR Macedonia and the best preliminary round runners-up.
Full draw
*Mini-tournament hosts
Preliminary round: 14–17January 2015
Group A: Greece, Bulgaria*, Denmark, Gibraltar
Group B: Finland, Montenegro*, Cyprus, Wales
Group C: Georgia, Lithuania*, Switzerland, Estonia
Group D: France, Moldova*, Albania, San Marino
Group E: Latvia, England, Andorra, Malta*
Group F: Israel, Armenia, Sweden*, Scotland
• The six group winners plus the best runners-up join the 21 sides given a bye to the main round.
Main round: 18–21 March 2015
Group 1: Russia, Netherlands, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Winner of preliminary round Group E
Group 2: Spain, Hungary, FYR Macedonia*, Best runners-up
Group 3: Italy, Belarus, Poland*, Winner of Group B
Group 4: Ukraine, Azerbaijan*, Belgium, Winner of Group A
Group 5: Czech Republic, Slovenia*, Norway, Winner of Group D
Group 6: Croatia*, Slovakia, Turkey, Winner of Group F
Group 7: Portugal, Romania*, Kazakhstan, Winner of Group C
• The seven group winners will progress to join hosts Serbia in the final tournament from 2–13 February 2016.
• The seven runners-up plus the best third-placed team will enter the play-offs on 15 and 22 September 2015 (drawn on 10 June). The winners of the four two-legged ties will complete the 12-nation lineup for the finals.