Futsal EURO hopefuls discover fate
Wednesday 10 September 2008
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Spain are seeking a hat-trick of titles (©Fedja Krvavac)
Holders Spain will play host to Slovakia and Moldova in their attempt to reach the 2010 UEFA European Futsal Championship after the qualifying draw was made.
Expanded finals
Thirty-eight nations are chasing eleven places alongside hosts Hungary in the expanded 12-team finals in January 2010. Sixteen of those entrants, including debutants Estonia, Montenegro and the Republic of Ireland, will take part in the four-group preliminary round from 19-22 February 2009, with the winners of those pools – also drawn today – plus the two best runners-up progressing to join the other 22 hopefuls in the main qualifying stage from 19-22 March.
Holders' task
Having successfully defended the title in 2007, Spain will begin their bid in qualifying Group 2 in Granada against Slovakia, Moldova and, like in six of the other pools, a team from the preliminary round. Italy, the last side other than Spain to be crowned champions and runners-up last year in Portugal, will be in Group 4 with mini-tournament hosts Lithuania and Belarus.
Ukraine set test
Russia, the other past winners, face Slovenia and home side France in Group 7, while the side they beat to third place last November, Portugal, will stage Group 6 in Viana do Castelo with visitors including Poland and Azerbaijan. Two-time runners-up Ukraine have been drawn in Group 1, the only pool with all four contenders already known, including past qualifiers the Netherlands, Andorra and the hosts, surprise 2007 finalists Romania.
Eleven go through
The Czech Republic, who are about to travel to Brazil along with Spain, Italy, Russia, Portugal and Ukraine for the FIFA Futsal World Cup, welcome Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina to Chrudim for Group 3, and the other of the top seeds, Serbia, meet Group 5 hosts Belgium and F.Y.R. Macedonia. The seven group winners and four best runners-up will be on their way to Budapest and Debrecen for the finals.
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