2006 World Championships   More World Championship news       Tournament info: Bulgaria Men Bulgaria Women

Bulgaria to play Portugal men & Poland women for Final Round tickets

Varna, Bulgaria, August 20, 2005 – The Bulgarian men’s and women’s teams both have a chance to claim a 2006 World Championships Final Round ticket after both teams remained unbeaten on Saturday in their respective European play off tournaments which are being held in Varna.

In the men’s tournament, which consists of the Ukraine, Portugal, the Netherlands and the hosts, Bulgaria beat the Ukraine 3-1 (25-20, 24-26, 25-17, 25-21) for their second win from as many matches to set up a “final” on Sunday with Portugal, who beat the Netherlands 3-1 (25-18, 26-24, 21-25, 25-20). Both Portugal and Bulgaria have a 2-0 win-loss record while the Netherlands and the Ukraine are out of contention having lost both their first two matches.

With the winner of the tournament claiming the last available Final Round spot, Sunday’s matches will be full of high pressure Volleyball with the Netherlands and the Ukraine opening proceedings before the big match between Portugal and Bulgaria.

In the women’s playoff, where Bulgaria, the Ukraine and Poland are also playing for one final place in the Final Round, the hosts had the bye on Saturday but will play Poland on Sunday in the deciding match after Poland beat the Ukraine 3-0 (25-17, 25-14, 25-15) on Saturday.

Both Poland and Bulgaria have a 1-0 win-loss record after Bulgaria beat the Ukraine on Friday 3-2 (25-17, 27-25, 28-30, 18-25, 15-9).

With both tournaments finishing on Sunday, the winner’s of each tournament will complete the European vacancies in the Final Round in Japan next year.