12 teams featured in the competition, held in Tulcea, Romania, from 23 July to 1 August 1999.

The top three teams of each group qualified for the Challenge Round.

Spain, Belarus and France received a bye to the Challenge Round.

Romania (as host), Russia (as incumbent champion) and the Czech Republic (as incumbent runner-up) received a bye to the main tournament and did not play in the qualification round or the Challenge Round.

The top three teams of each group qualified for the final round.