Italy are just one win away from qualifying for the play-offs

An important match is looming for Italy's women's national team in the Women's World Championship 2015 Qualification, and Thursday might become a big day for coaches Marco Trespidi and Neven Hrupec's team.

At 17:30 hrs Italy face Iceland in Chieti in what will be the first part of the decisive double-header in Group 3.

After having won their first two matches against FYR Macedonia in October, Italy top the group and are perhaps just one win away from qualifying for the play-offs in June.

Because if they win by a big margin on Thursday, they can potentially afford to lose when the second leg is played in Iceland on 30 November and still finish first. Only the first ranked team from each of the four groups qualifies for the play-offs.

For Iceland the game against Italy marks the start of their qualification campaign and judging by international experience they are the favourites in this group.

On Friday, 28 November the three teams in Group 4 are entering the race for the play-offs.

Czech Republic are by far the favourites in this group in which they face Lithuania and Azerbaijan.

Group 4, as well as Groups 1 and 2 (played at the beginning of December), are played in a tournament format and not with home and away matches.

For all matches of this qualification phase the EHF live ticker is available.