UEFA Futsal EURO 2018 finals draw made

UEFA Futsal EURO 2018 hosts Slovenia have been handed a tough group with Italy and Serbia while France's debut match will be against holders Spain after the draw was made at Ljubljana castle on Friday. Tournament ambassadors Mile Ačimović and Mile Simeunović, as well as skiing star Tina Maze, conducted the draw.

Group A: Slovenia (hosts), Italy, Serbia

Group B: Russia, Kazakhstan, Poland

Group C: Portugal, Ukraine, Romania

Group D: Spain (holders), Azerbaijan, France

Draw guide

• Slovenia will start against the 2016 hosts Serbia (who beat Slovenia 5-1 in the opening game of those finals in Belgrade) and also meet the last team to lift the trophy on home soil (in 2003), Italy.

• Russia beat Kazakhstan 2-1 in the 2016 group stage before both went on to win medals (Russia second, Kazakhstan third). Poland are in their first finals since 2001.

• Portugal defeated Romania 4-0 in qualifying for these finals.

• First-time qualifiers France will open against holders Spain, who defeated Azerbaijan 4-2 in the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup group stage.

• The finals run from 30 January to 10 February at Arena Stožice, Ljubljana.

Finals schedule (kick-off times tbc)
Group stage
Tuesday 30 January
Group A: Slovenia v Serbia
Group B: Russia v Poland
Wednesday 31 January
Group C: Portugal v Romania
Group D: Spain v France
Thursday 1 February
Group A: Serbia v Italy
Group B: Poland v Kazakhstan
Friday 2 February
Group C: Romania v Ukraine
Group D: France v Azerbaijan
Saturday 3 February
Group A: Italy v Slovenia
Group B: Kazakhstan v Russia
Sunday 4 February
Group C: Ukraine v Portugal
Group D: Azerbaijan v Spain

Quarter-finals
Monday 5 February
QF1: Winner A v Runner-up B
QF2: Runner-up A v Winner B
Tuesday 6 February
QF3: Winner C v Runner-up D
QF4: Runner-up C v Winner D

Semi-finals
Thursday 8 February
SF1: QF1 v QF3
SF2: QF2 v QF4

Finals day
Saturday 10 February
Third-place play-off
Final