It was held in Germany and won by the Piedmont–Aosta Valley team from Italy, which beat France's Maine 2–1 in the final.

The 40 teams entered were drawn into ten groups of four, with the following countries hosting each group's matches: Six group winners qualified automatically, while the winners of four randomly drawn groups took part in a playoff for the two remaining places in the tournament final.

As there were ten groups but only eight places in the tournament final, four group winners had to play in the intermediary round.

The two legs were played in both competing teams' home regions.

The six automatic preliminary group winners and the two intermediary playoff winners (Italy's Piedmont–Aosta Valley and Asturias of Spain) were drawn into two groups of four, with the two group winners advancing to the final.