Spain and Portugal in finals showdown

UEFA European Futsal Championship hosts Hungary have been matched with the Czech Republic and Azerbaijan while holders Spain will take on Portugal and Belarus after the draw for the 2010 finals was made at the Kölcsey Convention Centre in Debrecen.

Rivals rematched
The home nation will open the competition in Group A against first-time qualifiers Azerbaijan before meeting the nation that were the hosts when Hungary competed in their only previous finals in 2005, the Czech Republic. Group D rivals Spain and Portugal met in the semi-finals in Porto two years ago, with the hosts ousted on penalties as the defending champions moved on to a second straight triumph. Azerbaijan are also making their finals bow, having drawn 3-3 with Portugal in qualifying.

Italy face Ukraine
In other pools, Italy – beaten finalists in 2007 when it was an eight-team tournament for the last time before expanding to the current 12 – face the side they beat to the 2003 title, Ukraine, and Belgium in Group B. The only nation other than Spain or the Azzurri to win the title, Russia, were paired with Serbia and Slovenia in Group C. Russia beat Serbia 5-3 in their opening game in 2007, a result which proved decisive in taking them through to the semi-finals.

Venues
Groups A and C will be played at the Budapest's Papp László Sportaréna with Debrecen's Főnix Arena hosting Groups B and D from 19-24 January. The top two teams in each section progress to the quarter-finals on 25 and 26 January in both venues, before Debrecen stages the last four on 28 January and the third-place match and final two days later. The full tournament schedule will be confirmed at a later date.

Preparations praised
Giorgio Marchetti, the UEFA competitions director, made the draw with acclaimed Hungarian pianist Adam György, who also unveiled the official adidas matchball. Marchetti said: "For the organisers, your efforts will now intensify as the final preparations are made to stage this top-level event. On behalf of the UEFA President Michel Platini, I would like to thank the Hungarian Football Federation, which is working hard to make the 2010 UEFA European Futsal Championship a success, but also the two host city authorities that are strongly supporting the event as well."