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Germany beat Italy for tournament honours - Ukraine into play off

Napoli, Italy, July 31, 2005 – World number 25 Germany beat a young and new look Italian side, who are ranked second in the world, 3-2 (25-18, 18-25, 22-25, 25-18, 18-16) on the final day of the 2006 Men’s World Championship third round tournament – Europe Pool I in Napoli to win the tournament. Both teams had already confirmed their places in the final round on Saturday by ensuring they finished in the top two places having won their opening two matches, so Sunday's match was an effective 'final' for tournament honours.
Pic: Hot World Championshiop action in the Napoli Palavesuvio
Meanwhile, the Ukraine kept alive their amazing World Championship dream by beating Spain 3-2 (23-25, 25-21, 21-25, 25-17, 15-10) on Sunday to book their place in a four team play off for a final round ticket.

The Ukraine, ranked 38th in the world, advanced to the third round tournament from the second round and now need to beat Portugal, the Netherlands and Bulgaria in a play off starting on August 19 in Varna, Bulgaria.

The Napoli tournament was the final of four European third round tournaments being played in July where the top two sides from each tournament claimed final round tickets. Italy and Germany joined Russia, Poland, Greece and Serbia & Montenegro, France and the Czech Republic in the final round from Europe along with the hosts Japan and defending champions Brazil, and Egypt, Tunisia, Kazahkstan, China, Iran, Korea, Australia, Argentina and Venezuela.