[html] With the Semifinals pairs( France vs. Croatia and Germany vs. Denmark) known there’s a little bit more certainty as to how the upcoming Olympic Qualification Tournaments shape up. Here’s an update:
Automatic Bid: France, Croatia or Denmark will get the automatic ticket to Beijing. As Germany has already qualified for the World Championships, should they win, the runner up will get the automatic European ticket.
European 2nd and 3rd place spots: Norway and Sweden have secured these two spots. The winner of the 5th place game between these two teams will take 2nd and the loser will take the 3rd place spot.
The Olympic Qualification tournaments will shuffle based on who wins the European championships. Below are the scenarios:
If Denmark wins the European Championships
Tourney 1: Poland, Iceland, Europe 2nd (Norway or Sweden), Argentina
Tourney 2: France, Spain, Tunisia, Europe 3rd (Norway or Sweden)
Tourney 3: Croatia, Russia, Asia 2nd (Japan or South Korea), Algeria
If France wins the European Championships
Tourney 1: Poland, Iceland, Europe 2nd (Norway or Sweden), Argentina
Tourney 2: Denmark, Spain, Tunisia, Europe 3rd (Norway or Sweden)
Tourney 3: Croatia, Russia, Asia 2nd (Japan or South Korea), Algeria
If Croatia wins the European Championships
Tourney 1: Poland, Iceland, Europe 2nd (Norway or Sweden), Argentina
Tourney 2: Denmark, Spain, Tunisia, Europe 3rd (Norway or Sweden)
Tourney 3: France, Russia, Asia 2nd (Japan or South Korea), Algeria
2009 World Championships
Europe will be awarding 3 direct tickets for the 2009 World Championsips. Germany (Defending Champion) and Croatia (host) have already qualified. France and Denmark therefore have qualified and the winner of the Norway-Sweden 5th place match will secure the 3rd ticket. The 11 teams that didn't secure a direct ticket will join the 7 pool winners from the European World Championship Qualification pools that just recently finished. Those 18 teams will be paired for 9 home and away winner take all playoffs. As you never know who you could get paired up, Norway and Sweden have a lot to play for in their 5th place game. [/html]