We know thirteen participants of the 2013 Men’s European Championships

We already know thirteen participants of the forthcoming European Championships, which Denmark and Poland will host. Six teams won promotion to the qualification tournaments - Belarus (group A), the Netherlands (group B), Czech Republic (group C), Finland (group D), Germany (group E) and France (group F).

Three teams – Czech Republic, France and Germany – have won all matches of the two tournaments with the set of 18 points. For the first time, Belarus which celebrates a historical success, after first three matches in Portugal collected 9 points. However, in revenge matches the team hardy managed to be first in the ranking and finished with 12 points.

Previously, the right of participation in the next year’s championships gained: Denmark, Poland (co-host), Serbia (2009 European Champion), Italy (Vice-champion), Russia (ranked four), Slovakia (ranked five) and Bulgaria (ranked six).

Teams ranked second in the preliminary groups ranking in May 2013 will play a series of matches which will select three final participants of the ECH. In three pairs we will see: Croatia-Slovenia, Greece-Belgium and Turkey-Latvia

The drawing of lots for the final tournament of the European Championships will take place on the 15th October, in Copenhagen.