Budapest, Hungary, 18 July 2019 – Defending champions Russia play 2017 runners-up Ukraine in Friday’s semifinals of the 2019 Sitting Volleyball European Championships after both triumphed in Thursday’s quarterfinals.

The winner will get to play either Germany or Italy, who clash in the other semifinal.

Russia prevailed over hosts Hungary in easy straight sets 3-0 (25-14, 25-6, 25-20) to stay undefeated in the tournament and Ukraine followed suit with a win over Slovenia 3-0 (25-14, 25-21, 25-18).

Germany, the only other undefeated side alongside Russia, struggled a bit in the second and third sets against Finland, but found their way to victory 3-0 (25-10, 27-25, 25-21).

Italy completed the semifinals lineup, advancing on their 3-0 (25-16, 25-14, 25-6) win over Croatia.

The women’s semifinals are set for Friday afternoon, with the medals matches to follow on Saturday at Ludovika Arena of the University of Public Service in the Hungarian capital.

In the round-robin pool for positions 9-12, meanwhile the quarterfinal losers have joined Great Britain and Slovenia have already taken an advantage with a critical win over Finland 3-1 (25-15, 25-11, 19-25, 25-21).

To round up the day in Budapest, Croatia captain Andreja Giba registered the high score of the day in Croatia’s win over Great Britain with 27 points.