Spain defended their title, having won it for the sixth consecutive time.

Croatia was selected to host the Championship by a decision made on 24 March 2010, at the UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The qualification was played in two stages, with 24 sides competing in the preliminary round between 20–24 January 2011.

UEFA announced the seedings on Monday, 28 February 2011, one day after the qualification was concluded.

Croatia (host, assigned to A1) Spain (title holder) Italy Portugal Russia Czech Republic Ukraine Serbia Azerbaijan Romania Slovenia Turkey