The second day of the FIP World Cup Qualifiers in Madrid saw Greece dominate the headlines with a double success in both the men’s and women’s categories. As the group stage nears its conclusion, several nations have solidified their positions, setting the stage for a high-stakes final day of qualifying matches.
Key Results and Standings from Day 2
The competition in Madrid has been intense, with teams vying for a spot in the upcoming FIP World Cup in Qatar. Here is a breakdown of the notable performances and match outcomes from the second day of play:
- Greece's Double Success: The Greek national teams enjoyed a standout day, with both the men’s and women’s squads securing their second consecutive victories. The women’s team defeated Ireland 3-0, while the men’s team edged out Ukraine 2-1.
- Croatia’s Women’s Dominance: Continuing their strong form, the Croatian women’s team secured another win by defeating Georgia. The victory was clinched through the efforts of pairs Lovreković/Jurković, Hrkač/Pavković, and Katavić/Koraca.
- Women’s Group E and Other Results: Ukraine managed a 2-1 win over Romania, while Poland and Bulgaria both secured 2-1 victories against Switzerland and Slovenia, respectively. Austria, Hungary, and Norway also dominated their matchups, each recording clean 3-0 sweeps.
- Men’s Group F and Group A Action: Romania defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in Group F. In Group A, Estonia achieved a significant 3-0 victory over Azerbaijan, positioning themselves to challenge the Netherlands for a qualification spot in their final group match.
- Additional Men’s Results: Denmark, Slovakia, Poland, Slovenia, and Austria all recorded convincing 3-0 wins. Meanwhile, Serbia, Lithuania, and Finland secured narrow 2-1 victories over Cyprus, Georgia, and Norway, respectively.
As the tournament progresses, Germany and Great Britain—who both enjoyed a rest day—are set to return to the courts for their final group stage encounters. The qualifying stage concludes on Day 3, featuring 19 matches that will determine which nations advance to the knockout phase, which is scheduled to begin on Thursday, September 25. Fans can follow the action live via the official FIP YouTube channel as teams fight for their place in the World Cup, which will be held in Qatar from November 2 to 7.
