The Russian team, who saw off the host nation in yesterday’s semi-final, were hoping to secure their country’s sixth consecutive participation in the Olympic tournament and made a bright start against their Dutch opponents.

After taking the opening set 25-21 at the Baskent Sports Hall, Russia looked to build a strong advantage to put themselves on the brink of qualification but the Dutch hit back to claim the second set 25-22 to level the match.

Led by their tournament top scorer, Tatiana Kosheleva, Russia were able to regain control and claimed the remaining sets 25-19, 25-20 to book their spot at Rio 2016.

“I am so happy right now,” said Kosheleva.

“The Netherlands are a strong team with super defence, and they demonstrated their strength in the second set which they won.

“We lost our concentration a little, but luckily not for too long.”

Following their defeat, Dutch hopes of reaching Rio 2016 depend on them winning a berth at the World Olympic qualification tournament in Tokyo, during May.

They will be joined at the tournament by Italy after they earned a dramatic 25-23, 19-25, 25-23, 15-25, 15-13 win over host nation Turkey to win the third place play-off.

Russia could be on course for a double celebration after their men’s team, who are the reigning Olympic champions, dumped out hosts Germany in the semi-finals of their European Olympic qualifier in Berlin.

Just as their women’s team had done yesterday in their last four tie, Russia lost the opening set to their opposition but then claimed the next three to silence the home crowd in the Max-Schmeling-Halle, eventually recording a 31-33, 25-22, 25-19, 26-24 win.

They are now due to meet European champions France to decide the Olympic spot after they secured a straight sets 29-27, 32-30, 25-20 victory over world champions Poland, who will now meet Germany to try to secure a World Olympic qualification tournament berth.

In the African men’s qualification in Brazzaville, Algeria confirmed themselves as Group B winners after notching up their third straight victory by overcoming the Democratic Republic of Congo 25-17, 25-18, 25-11.

The defeat saw the Congolese miss out on a semi-final spot, as Cameroon secured second by inflicting a third consecutive defeat on Nigeria, prevailing 25-18, 25-20, 25-20.

Algeria are now set to meet Group A runners-up Tunisia, who lost 25-22, 25-20, 25-20 to an Egyptian side who will face Cameroon in their semi-final.

Only the winners will book a place in Rio, with two berths at the World tournament available.