AZERBAIJAN COMPLETE REMARKABLE DOUBLE WITH THIRD ROUND VICTORY

FIVB World Championship 2006 qualification

Moscow, Russia, July 3, 2005. Azerbaijan, ranked 32nd in the world, achieved the extraordinary feat on Sunday of winning the 2006 Women’s World Championship third round tournament - Europe Pool G event in Moscow, just over a month after winning a second round tournament at home in May.

Their 3:1 (20-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-11) win over world number six Russia on Sunday capped a remarkable World Championship journey for the Eastern European team, after both Russia and Azerbaijan sealed their places in the final round on Saturday.

Unbeaten after two days of the four-team tournament, Azerbaijan and Russia were left to play for tournament honours on Sunday and Azerbaijan’s victory completed the remarkable achievement of winning two successive World Championship tournaments.

Meanwhile, Bulgaria, ranked 16th in the world, advanced to a playoff with Poland and another third placed team in the third and final European third round tournament - which will be played in August - after beating the Czech Republic (26th in the world) 3:1 (23-25, 26-24, 29-27, 25-16) in the earlier match on Sunday.

Russia and Bulgaria started the tournament as favourites, having been automatically seeded into the third round pool, while Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic both advanced having won and finished second in their respective second round tournaments.

The next 2006 Women’s World Championship tournament sees Kenya, Algeria, then Dem. Rep. of Congo, Congo and Eritrea compete in a African first round tournament, which will decide the third and final African women’s team to reach the final round. Egypt and Cameroon have already booked their places after winning their respective tournaments in March and April.

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