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Greece, Belgium, Belarus, Poland and Russia have confirmed their places at the World U21 Championships in Pune, India later this year.

Greece defeated the Netherlands in a tight contest in Zagreb to top group C at the European qualifiers and to book their place in the finals.

The Greeks sealed victory in the fifth set, 15-6, after dropping the first and third sets.

Samakov, Bulgaria was the setting for the straight shoot out between the host nation and Belgium to see who would qualify.

The Bulgarians started quickly and took the first set by six points. From then on the visitors dominated, with the Belgians taking three straight sets to break the hearts of the host nation.

There was to be more heartbreak for a host nation in La Spezia, Italy as Poland stunned the Italians 3-0 in their deciding match in group D.

Elsewhere, Russia (group B) and Belarus (group E) controlled their groups from the start, both qualifying with perfect 3-0 records.

Dan Rumens / Eurosport