The road to Sweden 2016 starts in June

The Women's EHF EURO 2016, which takes place from 4 to 18 December 2016 in Sweden, might still be far away in the mind of many, however there are at least six teams that have to start thinking about it very soon, with their road to the final tournament already starting in June 2015.

On Tuesday the groups for Qualification Phase 1 were drawn in Vienna and the six teams participating in this phase got to know their opponents.

The draw was conducted by EHF Secretary General Michael Wiederer and EHF President Jean Brihault.

Azerbaijan, one of the two teams seeded in Pot 1, face Bulgaria and Faroe Islands in Group 1.

Finland, the second top seeded team, meet Israel and debutants Kosovo in Group 2.

The first right to host the respective groups was also drawn to Azerbaijan and Finland.

The playing dates for these groups, which will be played in a tournament format, are 12 to 14 June 2015, and only the respective group winners advance to the next qualification phase.

The draw for this second phase will take place on 9 April 2015 in Kristianstad, Sweden. The first qualifiers in Phase 2 will be played in October this year.