Ukraine, Slovakia, Italy reach World Championship Play-offs

Ukraine, Slovakia and Italy can start planning for the Women's World Championship 2017 Play-offs after all three reached the last stage ahead of the final tournament following an intense weekend of qualifiers.

Italy made use of their home advantage in Siracusa to win their tournament in Group 4 against Portugal and Israel, following a 26:26 draw against the latter on Friday and a decisive 25:20 win against Portugal on Sunday.

Ukraine were unbeatable in the Slovakian town of Sala, winning their matches in Group 1 against Slovakia, Lithuania and Greece. Slovakia recovered quickly from Friday's 21:20 loss against Ukraine to win their matches against Greece and Lithuania and place second.

The three teams mentioned are the first of seven overall who will reach the play-offs coming from this first qualification phase.

The tournaments in Group 2 (with Belarus, Turkey, Switzerland and Kosovo) and Group 3 (with Austria, Iceland, FYR Macedonia and Faroe Islands) will be played from 2 to 4 December.

The first two teams from these groups make it to the play-offs.

Apart from organisers Germany, defending champions Norway are also directly qualified for the Women's World Championship 2017. Furthermore, the three best ranked teams at the Women's EHF EURO 2016 in Sweden earn a direct place.

The remaining eleven teams from the Women's EHF EURO 2016 will complete the field of 18 at the play-offs.