Courtesy: UEFA.com


Spain and Portugal in finals showdown

Thursday 24 September 2009

by Paul Saffer from Debrecen

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.

Venues
In other pools, Italy – beaten finalists in 2007 when it was an eight-team tournament – face Ukraine and Belgium in Group B while the only nation other than Spain or the Azzurri to win the title, Russia, were paired with Serbia and Slovenia in Group C. Groups A and C will be played at the Budapest's Papp László Sportaréna with Debrecen's Fõnix 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.

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."


2010 UEFA European Futsal Championship draw

Group A (Budapest)
Hungary (hosts)
Czech Republic
Azerbaijan

Group B (Debrecen)
Italy
Ukraine
Belgium

Group C (Budapest)
Russia
Serbia
Slovenia

Group D (Debrecen)
Spain (holders)
Portugal
Belarus







Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com