Great Britain are safely through into the last 16 after a comfortable victory 45-33 over Turkey. The team of Alex Crutchett, Maiyuran Ratneswaran and Nat Lewis quickly established a 10 hit lead and protected it for the rest of the fight. The team now faces top seeds Hungary in the last 16.
Also through to the last 16 are Georgia who beat Azerbaidjan 45-33, Poland beat who Iran 45-18 and China after beating the Czech Republic 45-21. The final match to finish in the second wave was a close affair between Hong Kong and Japan. After the first two fights the Japanese had a 6 hit advantage which they saw overhauled as they were outscored by 7 hits by Hong Kong in the next two fights. At the end of each of the next two fights the lead had switched, but a Japanese bagel in fight 7 had given Hong Kong a 7 hit advantage. The Hong Kong team consolidated their advantage and went into the final fight 40-31 ahead. Not downhearted the Japanese closer scored 5 hits without reply, and after a hit for the Hong Kong team, scored the next 8 to lead 44-41. Just enough time for another hit from Hong Kong before the Japanese complete the comeback and take the victory 45-42. Excellent stuff!
Photo courtesy of Denise Wilson