NEXT OLYMPIC QUALIFIER STARTS MONDAY

2003-06-20

There will be a dozen teams competing in an Olympic qualifier in Italy next week, but only one of them will advance to the eight that will play in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.

Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Russia, and Spain are all hoping for a trip to the world’s stage when the first day of play in the qualifier gets underway this Monday (June 23). The games will be played at two locations, Macerata and Cupramontana.

The official event website (see link below) will have complete game results throughout next week’s competition. The semifinal and final will be broadcast by Rai Sport Satellite.

Four teams qualified for next year’s Olympic Games as a result of their finish at the 2002 Women’s World Championship, the United States, Japan, Chinese Taipei, and China, while Australia clinched its third straight trip to the Olympics by winning the Asia/Oceania Olympic qualifier three months ago. Greece will compete in the Olympic softball competition by virtue of being the host country. The Americas qualifier, to determine the eighth and final team, will take place next month in Puerto Rico.

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Game Schedule For Olympic Qualifier