UEFA Euro 2012 in October 2011, the nine group winners qualified automatically, along with the highest ranked second placed team. The remaining eight-second placed teams contested two-legged play-offs, and the four winners qualified for the finals. Twelve of the sixteen finalists participated at the previous tournament in 2008. England and Denmark made their return to the Euro, having last participated in 2004, while Republic of Ireland returned after a twenty-four-year absence to make their second appearance at a European Championship. One of the co-hosts, Ukraine, made their debut as an independent nation (before 1992 Ukraine participated as part of the Soviet Union). With
UEFA Futsal Euro 2012 UEFA Futsal Euro 2012 The UEFA Futsal Euro 2012 was the eighth official edition of the UEFA European Championship for national futsal teams. It was hosted by Croatia, and was played from January, 31 to February, 11. 12 teams competed for the title, with 11 teams gain entries from qualification rounds, while Croatia gained an automatic entry as hosts. The championship was played in the two biggest Croatian cities, Zagreb and the 15,024 seater Arena Zagreb and in Split, at the 10,931 capacity Spaladium Arena. Spain defended their title, having won it for the sixth consecutive time. Three nations had