Day2 Qualy: another celebration for Paraguay, Poland, Ukraine and Austria book their places

Just over 20 days ago, Paraguay celebrated a double qualification for the final stage of the FIP World Cup, with both the men’s and women’s teams securing their place. Now the country is celebrating another milestone, with the men’s team qualifying for the FIP Senior World Cup. On the second day of qualifying in Buenos Aires, Albirroja defeated Canada 4-1 to earn their place in the decisive stage of the tournament, where the women’s team are already qualified. Acuña/Hahn (50+), Enciso/Paredes (45+), Closa/Zekoff (40+) and Filartiga/Diaz (60+) secured the four victories, while Canada took the Over 55 tie with Messow/Wright.

 

It was also a day to remember for Poland, who bounced back from their Day1 defeat with a 3-0 victory over Lithuania. Gawloski/Marcinowski (50+) got the tie off to the best possible start, before Piwek/Slowinski (45+) featured in one of the day’s finest and most closely fought matches, coming from behind to defeat Akcijonaitis/Gudavicius 4-6 6-4 7-6. Reda/Sarnecki then sealed the tie with the third victory.

 

Ukraine, meanwhile, completed a clean sweep against Hong Kong (5-0). Levchuck/Kukol (50+), Rodionov/Rudko (45+), Siedoplatov/Baidikov (40+), Turkiv/Galyga (60+) and Synytsia/Reznikov (55+) secured their place in the final stage. Austria recorded the same score against Croatia, with victories for Kugler/Aschauer (50+), Adamek/Horvath (45+), Unterhuber/Salek (40+), Krocker/Teufelberger (60+) and Ollram/Talos (55+). The Austrian men’s team will be joined in the final stage by the women’s team, who are already qualified.

 

SUNDAY’S PROGRAMME Three teams are still needed to complete the final-stage line-up. The first two places will be decided in Sunday’s ties, starting at 9am local time (2pm CEST): Croatia-Hong Kong and Lithuania-Canada. The two winners will secure qualification, while the third and final place will be decided in the decisive tie, scheduled from 3pm local time (8pm CEST) between the two losing teams.