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Azerbaijan stand in Spain's way

Reigning champions Spain will take on 2010 semi-finalists Azerbaijan after the UEFA Futsal EURO 2012 preliminary and qualifying round draws were made in Nyon.

The qualifying round draw is made in Nyon
The qualifying round draw is made in Nyon ©UEFA.com

Holders Spain have been placed in a group with 2010 semi-finalists Azerbaijan after the UEFA Futsal EURO 2012 preliminary and qualifying round draws were made in Nyon.

A record 42 teams are competing for 11 places in the finals early in 2012 alongside hosts Croatia. Of those, 18 have been given a bye to the six qualifying round groups played from 24 to 27 February 2011, with section winners to go through to the finals alongside the five best runners-up.

While Spain will travel to Azerbaijan and also have Kazakhstan in their section, the runners-up in January's finals in Hungary, Portugal, are rematched with opponents they drew 5-5 with in the group stage, Belarus, in a mini-tournament staged by Poland. Three of the 2010 finalists – Ukraine, Hungary and Belgium – are in Group 5 while bronze-medallists the Czech Republic play neighbours Slovakia in Romania.

The six remaining qualifying round slots, one in each group, will be filled by the winners of the preliminary round mini-tournaments played from 20 to 24 January, which feature the four competition debutants: Iceland, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland.

UEFA Futsal EURO 2012
Preliminary round draw

Matches 20-24 January 2011, winners to qualifying round

Group A: Moldova,Turkey (hosts),Montenegro, Switzerland

Group B: Greece, Latvia, Armenia,Iceland (hosts)

Group C: Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (hosts), Georgia, England, Estonia

Group D: Lithuania, France, Bulgaria,Malta(hosts)

Group E: Finland (hosts), Cyprus, Albania, San Marino

Group F: Israel, Andorra,Republic of Ireland (hosts), Norway

Qualifying round draw
Matches 24-27 February 2011, winners and five best runners-up to finals with hosts Croatia

Group 1: Spain,Azerbaijan (hosts),Kazakhstan, Winner preliminary round Group D

Group 2: Russia, Serbia,Netherlands (hosts), Winner preliminary round Group E

Group 3: Portugal, Belarus,Poland (hosts),Winner preliminary round Group C

Group 4: Czech Republic,Romania (hosts),Slovakia, Winner preliminary round Group F

Group 5: Ukraine (hosts), Hungary, Belgium, Winner preliminary round Group A

Group 6: Italy,Slovenia (hosts), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Winner preliminary round Group B