Latvia need one more point to qualify for play-offs

Latvia are very close to qualify for the play-offs to the Men's World Championship 2017 in France after they beat Cyprus 34:17 in a qualifier on Sunday.

The win was Latvia's fourth from as many games in the current qualification campaign and with eight points they rank first in Group 3 and need just one more point from their remaining games against Greece and Ukraine to qualify for the play-offs.

Only the respective first ranked team of each of the six qualification groups makes it to the next phase.

Also in Group 3 on Sunday, Ukraine won away 27:21 against Greece, but with both teams on four points and only two matches left to play their chances to qualify are arguably very small.

In the respective first leg matches Latvia beat Greece at home 31:22 and won away at Ukraine 23:18.

In Group 5 Turkey beat Belgium 31:28. They are now on four points and meet Czech Republic on 13 and 16 January in Round 5 and 6 for the decisive matches to decide the first rank.

In Group 2 Romania beat Finland 36:29. The Romanians are now second ranked with six points and definitely need to beat Austria on 14 January to keep their chances alive.

However, in the direct encounter they have to overcome a three-goal loss from November last year when Austria beat Romania 27:24.

Round 5 and 6 of the qualification will be played from 13 to 17 January; the play-offs will take place in June this year.