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UEFA Italy in Ostrava openerThursday, 13 January 2005 Holders Italy will kick off the UEFA European Futsal Championship finals against Portugal on Monday 14 February.
Four games in one venueThe two nations drew 0-0 in last year's FIFA Futsal World Championship - in which Italy reached the final - but have not met in this tournament since 1999, when their match finished 3-3. They will open Group B at Ostrava's CEZ Arena at 12.30CET, with the other pool game between Hungary and world champions Spain following. Later that day, at the same venue, hosts the Czech Republic will face 2001 runners-up Ukraine in Group A, in which Russia will then play the Netherlands at 18.30.
Italy meet SpainPortugal's showdown with neighbours Spain is the highlight of the next day's action, which will start at 14.30 when Italy take on Hungary. After a rest day, the groups will conclude on 17 February with the final group matches being played simultaneously at the CEZ Arena and Sareza Hall, with Group A games beginning at 17.30 and Group B at 19.30, including the World Championship final rematch between Italy and Spain.
Final fixturesAll the remaining action is at the CEZ Arena, with the semi-finals the day after the final group outings at 15.30 and 18.30, and the deciding games on Sunday 20 February. The third-place play-off will kick off at 14.00 and the final at 17.15.
