New Zealand has qualified for the final 16 of the WSF Men's World Team Championship, following the conclusion of the group stage in Tauranga.

With the New Zealand team recording a win against Republic of Korea and a defeat to Wales in pool play they will take on fifth seeded USA later today (6pm) in front of what is sure to be a noisy Mercury Baypark Arena.

World No. 3 Paul Coll headlines the New Zealand team, joined by brothers Temwa and Lwamba Chileshe, and young Auckland athlete Elijah Thomas.

In competition yesterday France and Netherlands played out an entertaining European derby, with the French trio of Auguste Dussourd, Victor Crouin and Gregoire Marche recording 3-1, 3-0, and 3-0 wins, respectively, to set up a last 16 meeting with Nigeria, who progressed as runners up in Group D after a win over Japan and a defeat to Switzerland earlier in the competition.

After the match, Marche reflected on the mood of the third-seeded French team: “We’re feeling good and confident and the atmosphere between us is great; let’s hope for the best!”

Elsewhere, at the Devoy Squash and Fitness Centre, top seeds and defending champions Egypt safely progressed as Group A winners thanks to a comfortable 3-0 win against Ireland, with 22-year-old former World No.1 Mostafa Asal making his event debut for Egypt.

Asal and his teammates will face Pool B runners up South Africa in the first knockout round, with the [13/16] seeds qualifying thanks to their win against Philippines on day one.

The quarterfinals and 17-24 place playoff of the WSF Men’s World Team Championship resumes today, 14 December, at midday.

Click here to view results and draws for the 2023 WSF Men’s World Team Championship.

The Championship features four athletes from each of the 24 competing nations, with teams going head-to-head in a best of three matches format. The draw includes eight of the top ten male athletes in the world.