Serbia, Azerbajan and Russia join Japan as hosts and USA as defending champions as the five sides already qualified to the 24-team 2018 World Championship. That leaves three spots left to be determined this weekend and in Pool C Turkey need to win their match tomorrow against Montenegro to top their pool. While in Pool D it will be determined by the final match between Belgium and Italy, Pool F has Germany needing to collect three points, or the top spot could be stolen by Slovenia.
The top team from each pool advances directly to the 2018 FIVB Women’s World Championship in Japan. The second-ranked team of each pool continues in Round 3 of the European qualifiers for two more tickets to Japan 2018.
Here are some highlights of yesterday’s match:
Pool A
Powered by Nataliya Goncharova and Tatiana Kosheleva, Russia thundered past Austria 3-0, Georgia 3-0, Greece 3-1 and Hungary 3-0 to secure their ticket to Japan 2018 in advance, regardless of the result of today against the host Croatia.
Greece is now close to remain at the second spot of the pool to enter Round 3 qualifier, depending on he set ratio rival with Croatia.
Pool C
Turkey pulled together in the tie-break to edge pool hosts Bulgaria 3-2 (23-25, 25-23, 25-23, 13-25, 15-13) in a very tight match and remain undefeatd in Pool C in Sofia, but still need a last win in their closing match to clinch the deal.
Bulgaria can still hope, but it’s out of their hands now.
Pool D
Italy and pool hosts Belgium both remained undefeated in Pool D at Kortrijk and will decide who qualifies to the World Championship today – with the loser guaranteed a place in Round 3 of the European qualifiers.
Pool E
With 3,000 fans in attendance at the Sports Games Palace in Baku, Azerbaijan did not disappoint their home audience with a 3-0 (30-28, 25-22, 25-13) victory over The Netherlands in the ‘grand finale’ of the tournament to secure their ticket to next year’s World Championship. The home team delivered a perfect game with a very solid attack and some amazing defence actions.
The Netherlands who experienced their first losing game will be entering round 3 for their last chance.
Pool F
Germany gave Finland no chance in Pool F at Viana do Castelo and remained undefeated with a 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-14) sweep and now it is only one step away from their quest for Japan 2018.
Slovenia beat hosts Portugal with a convincing 3-0 and secured at least a second chance through Round 3 of the European qualifiers.
(Photo:CEV)
