Courtesy: UEFA.com


Futsal EURO play-off preview

Monday 11 September 2017

The play-off first legs are on Tuesday as the Czech Republic host Serbia, France play Croatia, Romania meet Georgia and Hungary take on Poland with the last four finals places on offer.

The last four berths at UEFA Futsal EURO 2018 in Slovenia are decided over the next fortnight when the play-offs take place with the first legs on Tuesday.

Play-off ties (12 and 26 September):

Czech Republic v Serbia

• The Czech Republic have qualified for the last eight final tournaments; Serbia reached the semis as hosts in Belgrade last year.

• The teams drew 2-2 in the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Bangkok.


France v Croatia

• France have reached the play-offs for the first time and have never qualified for a major futsal tournament; Croatia were semi-finalists as 2012 hosts and have not failed to qualify since.

• Croatia beat France 8-2 in 2001 qualifying and 4-1 two years later.


Romania v Georgia

• Georgia are in the play-offs for the first time and have never qualified for a major futsal tournament; Romania made their finals debut in 2007 when (like Georgia this time) they started in the preliminary round.

• Romania overcame Georgia 4-1 in 2016 qualifying on their way to the play-offs.


Hungary v Poland

• Hungary beat Romania with two goals late in extra time to get through the 2016 play-offs and reach the finals for a third time; Poland's sole qualification was in 2001.

• Poland contested the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup play-offs but lost 8-1 on aggregate to Kazakhstan.

Already qualified: Azerbaijan, Italy, Kazakhstan, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia (hosts), Spain (holders), Ukraine

• The finals are played from 30 January to 10 February 2018 at Arena Stožice, Ljubljana. The draw is at 12:00CET on Friday 29 September at Ljubljana Castle in the Slovenian capital.



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