The Bulgarian team were forced to battle for a five-set win yesterday against Ukraine at the National Gymnastics Arena in Azerbaijan’s capital city.

They would be forced to repeat the feat today, after being pushed strongly by a Turkish team which twice came from a set down.

Having played four competitive sets, the tie-break would go to the wire as both teams had match point opportunities.

Eventually Bulgaria were able to take their chance, securing a 25-17, 10-25, 25-16, 20-25, 20-18 win over their opponents.

The result saw Bulgaria join Russia at the top of the Pool C standings on two wins, with both teams set to go head-to-head tomorrow to decide the automatic qualifier for the quarter-finals.

Turkey and Ukraine will play a crucial tie, as the winners of their encounter will secure a playoff spot, while the losers will suffer elimination.

Georgia, who have hosted Pool B of the tournament, saw their participation come to an end with a whimper at the New Sports Palace in Tbilisi.

They were comprehensively beaten 25-8, 25-11, 25-12 by Belarus, who guaranteed themselves a place in the playoffs.

Italy secured a quarter-final spot in the group’s final match, after they beat Croatia.

Both teams were already assured of at least a playoff tie, but Italy booked their place in the quarter-finals by winning 25-23, 25-21, 19-25, 10-25, 15-11.

Azerbaijan earned a last eight position after they beat Poland in Pool A in front of their home fans.

The co-hosts won their opening match convincingly against Hungary, but knew only a victory would have kept their hopes of a direct route to the quarter-finals alive, as Poland had already won two ties.

Azerbaijan dominated the encounter to secure a 25-14, 25-21, 25-23.

Their match was followed by the tie between Germany and Hungary, with the later earning their first win by triumphing 25-21, 19-25, 25-21, 25-18.

Having become the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals, Serbia rounded off their Pool D campaign in style by beating Belgium 24-26, 25-20, 25-22, 25-21.

The result eliminated Belgium and ensured both the Czech Republic and Netherlands were guaranteed of a playoff position.

The Netherlands finished second in the group by beating their Czech opponents 25-21, 25-15, 21-25, 25-21.