Matches in the preliminary round were played between 30 August and 13 September 2012. The two group winners and the best runners-up advance to the intermediary round (only the results of the runners-up against the winners and third-ranked team in each group are taken into account).
The 29 teams which went straight through to the intermediary round will join by the two group winners and best runner-up from the preliminary round. The 32 teams have been drawn into eight groups of four, with the following countries hosting each group's matches:
Matches in the intermediary round will be played between 10 August 2012 and 26 April 2013. The winners of each group will qualify for the final tournament.
The final tournament was held in Veneto, Italy from 22 to 29 June 2013.
Group stage
The group stage draw took place on 9 May 2013, producing two groups of four teams each. The two group winners advance to the final, while the runners-up of each group receive bronze medals.