2006 World Championships   More World Championship news       Tournament info: France

France and the Czech Republic into final round, the Netherlands into playoff

Le Cannet, France, July 30, 2005 – Favourites France sealed their final round ticket and the tournament honours after they collected their third straight win beating the Netherlands 3-1 (28-30, 25-21, 25-18, 25-15) on the final day of the 2006 Men’s World Championship third round tournament – Europe Pool K in Le Cannet on Saturday. The Czech Republic joined France in the final round by finishing second after collecting their second win from three matches after beating Finland 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-20) in Saturday’s early match.

The group is the third of four European third round tournaments being played this month where the top two sides from each tournament claim final round tickets. Since Europe has nine vacancies in the final round in Japan, the third placed side in each tournament will enter a four-way play-off for the one remaining ticket.
Pic: The Czech Republic and their fans
With France and the Czech Republic finishing one and two, the Netherlands, who finished third having won one match, will head to the play off for another final round ticket while Finland failed to win a game.

France and the Czech Republic join six other European teams in the final round with Italy, Germany, Russia, Poland, Greece and Serbia & Montenegro already confirmed, joining hosts Japan and defending champions Brazil, and Egypt, Kazahkstan, China, Iran, India, Australia, Argentina and Venezuela who also booked themselves into the final round after winning their respective tournaments.