ECH 2013: promotion of Czech Republic, Finland, France and Germany

We already know eleven participants of the next year’s European Championships, which Denmark and Poland are going to host. The following national teams gained promotion in the qualification tournaments – Czech Republic (group C), Finland (group D), France (group F) and Germany (group E).

Saturday’s victory of Australia over Croatia 3:1 (25:19, 25:17, 27:29, 25:21) decided about promotion of Czech Republic. All of the three rivals in group C, including Macedonia, have lost too much to be placed as first in the final ranking. Their last chance is to fight for participation in the playoffs.

During the group B revenge qualification tournament, which took place on Friday in Ostrawa, Croatia unexpectedly lost with Macedonia.

In group D Finland defeated Greece 3:0 (25:16, 25:17, 25:14). During this match, just like in other groups, we had opportunity to see the players known well from the PlusLeague. The most outstanding players of the Finnish team were Kunnari and Mikko Oivanen, whereas in the national team of France - Pujol and Tuia, and in the German one - Grozer.   

The following teams are granted participation in the next year’s European Championships:  Denmark, Poland (co-host) and Serbia (European Champion 2009), Italy (Vice-Champion), Russia (ranked four), Slovakia (ranked five) and Bulgaria (ranked six).

The winners of six groups will get promotion to the European Championships 2013 from qualifications. Furthermore, teams ranked second will participate in playoffs, in may 2013, where they will have possibility to fight for the last three places of participants in the tournament.

The drawing of lots of the European Championships’ groups will perform on the 15^th of October, in Copenhagen.