Both countries qualified from their respective playoffs at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku this evening.

Turkey had to work hard but eventually secured their spot in the last eight with a 25-22, 27-25, 18-25, 25-23 win over Poland.

The match was a repeat of the final at the inaugural European Games in Baku in 2015, which Turkey also won.

"It was really close, but we actually started very good and won the two first sets," said Turkey captain Eda Erdem Dündar.

"After that, they started serving really well, and did a great job in defence and we could not score even on a single block.

"We believed that we could win this game and in the end we did, which makes me so happy."

The Turks are now due to play Russia in the last eight in a repeat of their group stage match.

The Russians had won that match 3-1.

Germany endured a much more difficult evening but eventually progressed with a 3-2 win over Bulgaria.

Bulgaria were the favourites going into the match after finishing second in Pool C and almost upsetting reigning European champions Russia.

The young German side were unfazed and ultimately progressed with a 14-25, 25-20, 16-25, 25-19, 15-11 win.

Germany are now scheduled to play hosts Azerbaijan for a place in the last four.

The Germans will be trying to improve on their previous match in Pool A, where they took only one set from the hosts, the only one Azerbaijan have dropped so far. 

The first round of quarter-final matches is due to be staged tomorrow.

Italy play The Netherlands and Serbia face Belarus.