Latvia were the first team to seal a knock-out place yesterday, with several nations also closing in on qualification at the ATB Centre.

Hungary, Latvia's Group A rivals, ensured their participation in the next stage of the competition with a 9-4 win over Estonia.

The result keeps them second in the standings with five wins and two defeats from their matches.

With Finland and Japan playing each other in their seventh match, only one team can now surpass Hungary in the eight-team group, ensuring them of one three qualifying spots.

Scotland became the first Group B team to advance by recording their sixth straight victory, with the nation triumphing 8-2 against Denmark.

They are followed by Italy and Norway, who have five wins and one defeat from their matches to date and are both hoping to advance. 

Italy were 7-3 winners against Bulgaria today, while Norway thrashed Serbia 13-2.

A 14-1 victory over The Netherlands saw South Korea record their sixth straight win in Group C, ensuring their place in the play-offs.

They will be joined by China, who lie second in the standings after beating Austria 9-3.

All three play-off places were decided in Group D, with the United States, Canada and the Czech Republic securing spots.

The US were 9-5 winners over France to continue their 100 per cent record, while Czech Republic achieved their fifth win from six games by defeating Kazakhstan 14-1.

Canada's narrow 7-6 win over England would prove decisive, with the defeat meaning the losing side are now unable to catch the top three teams.

Group E, which features only seven teams, saw Switzerland and holders Russia book their spots in the next round.

Switzerland boast five straight wins, with their latest coming against Slovenia by a 13-4 scoreline.

Russia won 8-4 against New Zealand to lie second, with Spain currently in the final qualifying spot after beating Romania 11-5.

Round-robin actions resumes tomorrow.