Russia won both their matches today to finish top of the round-robin group at the IWRF European Division C Championship in Grosswallstadt in Germany ©IWRF 2017 European Div. C Championship/Facebook

Russia won both their matches today to finish top of the round-robin group at the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) European Division C Championship in Grosswallstadt in Germany.

After losing 56-53 to The Netherlands yesterday, the Russians bounced back to beat Israel 52-32 and Czech Republic 59-47.

Today’s two other matches saw Czech Republic defeat The Netherlands 48-45 and the Dutch overcome Israel 58-29.

It all meant that Russia, Czech Republic and The Netherlands each ended up on four points.

Their points differences, without taking the games against winless Israel into account, were therefore used as a tie-breaker.

Russia’s difference of nine bettered that of The Netherlands and Czech Republic with zero and minus nine respectively.

Czech Republic beat The Netherlands 48-45 today ©IWRF 2017 European Div. C Championship/Facebook
Czech Republic beat The Netherlands 48-45 today ©IWRF 2017 European Div. C Championship/Facebook

Tomorrow’s semi-finals are due to pit second-placed The Netherlands against third-placed Czech Republic and table toppers Russia against fourth-placed Israel.

They will be followed by the gold and bronze medal matches.

The three-day event's top-two finishers will advance to the 2018 IWRF Division B Championship at a location yet to be announced.

Europe is the largest IWRF region with 17 active members and seven more developing the sport on a national level.

Great Britain won the elite European Championship title in Koblenz in Germany this year, beating Sweden 49-41 in the final on July 1.