Courtesy UEFA. COM

Spain face Slovenian showdown

Thursday, 13 November 2003

Reigning champions Spain have been paired with Slovenia in today's European play-off draw in Switzerland for the 2004 FIFA World Futsal Championship.

Five ties

The winners of the five play-off ties will all go on to represent UEFA at the finals in Chinese Taipei between 29 November and 19 December 2004. As well as the Spanish, Italy will be among the favourites to progress with Hungary standing in the way of the European champions.

Past history

Spain won the FIFA title in 2000 after a thrilling 4-3 final victory in Guatemala against Brazil. Javi Rodríguez, who is still very much part of Javier Lozano's lineup, scored the winning goal. Brazil won the previous three editions, in 1989, 1992 and 1996, which were held in the Netherlands, Hong Kong and Spain respectively.


FIFA World Futsal Championship draw

Team named first play at home in first leg

First leg: 10 December. Second leg: 17 December

1. Bosnia-Herzegovina v Czech Republic
2. Poland v Portugal
3. Slovenia v Spain
4. Belarus v Ukraine
5. Hungary v Italy


Courtesy UEFA. COM

Tough task facing champions

Thursday, 13 November 2003

Italy were drawn against in-form Bosnia-Herzegovina in today's draw for the 2004/05 UEFA European Futsal Championship preliminary and qualifying rounds.

Two stages

While seven nations will have to compete for two places from the preliminary round, the rest of those involved were placed straight into the qualifying round. Italy will play in Group 7, which also includes Poland and F.Y.R. Macedonia. However, it is the Bosnia-Herzegovinians who will pose the toughest test after their shock 3-2 victory against the might of Russia earlier this month.

Azzurri triumph

The Italians were crowned champions of Europe earlier this year after a 1-0 success against Ukraine in the final. In all, 33 nations, including first-time entrants England and Bulgaria, have entered qualifying for the next edition, which will be played in the Czech Republic in February 2005. The Czechs have qualified automatically.

Plenty of intrigue

Group 1 promises to be a particularly close affair with France, Belgium and the Netherlands all drawn together. Spain will also have a difficult proposition in Group 4, after they were paired again with Slovenia who they face in next month's FIFA World Futsal Championship play-off.

Proud past

Granada in Spain staged the first UEFA event in February 1999, with Russia defeating the host nation on penalties after a 3-3 draw. The next city to get the honour was Moscow, with Spain lifting the trophy in the Russian capital after a 2-1 victory against Ukraine. In February 2003, Italy became the first hosts to claim the title after the tournament was played in Caserta and Aversa.

2004/05 UEFA European Futsal Championship
Preliminary round

Group A (mini-tournament hosts in bold)

Matches to be played between 5-11 January 2004

Bulgaria
Armenia
Romania
Kazakhstan

Group B (mini-tournament hosts in bold)

Matches to be played between 5-11 January 2004

Albania
Cyprus
England

2004/05 UEFA European Futsal Championship 2004
Qualifying round


Group 1 (mini-tournament hosts in bold)

Matches to be played between 26 January-1 February 2004

Netherlands
Belgium
Israel
France

Group 2 (mini-tournament hosts in bold)

Matches to be played between 26 January-1 February 2004

Ukraine
Belarus
Slovakia
Winner Group A


Group 3 (mini-tournament hosts in bold)

Matches to be played between 26 January-1 February 2004

Portugal
Andorra
Moldova
Winner Group B

Group 4 (mini-tournament hosts in bold)

Matches to be played between 26 January-1 February 2004

Spain
Slovenia
Finland
Lithuania

Group 5 (mini-tournament hosts in bold)

Matches to be played between 26 January-1 February 2004

Russia
Serbia and Montenegro
Azerbaijan
Georgia

Group 6 (mini-tournament hosts in bold)

Matches to be played between 26 January-1 February 2004

Croatia
Hungary
Greece
Latvia



Group 7 (mini-tournament hosts in bold)

Matches to be played between 26 January-1 February 2004

Italy
Poland
F.Y.R. Macedonia
Bosnia-Herzegovina