With four pool winners skipping the play-off phase, the Bulgarians secured extra rest-time by winning all three of their Group A matches in Sofia against The Netherlands, Germany and the Czech Republic.

Italy, however, were only second in Group B behind France and will have to make do with the play-off round along with the other second and third placed finishing countries across the four pools.

A 3-2 defeat to the French in their final clash in Turin proved their downfall but hopes in the competition do at least remain alive with a play-off for a quarter final spot against Finland due to be played today.

Italy will be favourites to progress after booking their Rio 2016 place by finishing second at the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Men's World Cup last month.

Joining Bulgaria and France directly in the last eight are Russia and Poland, with the latter fresh from just missing out on an Olympic berth at the World Cup.

The winner of Italy's play-off will face the Russians, while Bulgaria will meet either Belgium or Germany.

France will meet the winners of a play-off between Serbia and Estonia, with the Poles waiting in the wings for either the Netherlands or Slovenia.

Sofia's Arena Armeec is set to host the semi-finals and finals of the tournament, which is being organised by the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV).

The Czech Republic, Croatia, Belarus and Slovakia have already been knocked out having finished bottom of their pools.



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September 2015: United States win FIVB Men's World Cup and book Rio 2016 spot while Italy deny Poland second Olympic berth