Portugal won the Hannover Sevens on Sunday 13 July to capture the title of European champions and lead the charge of the five regional qualifiers to next year's Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai.
Portugal, Wales, Georgia, Ireland and Italy all booked their places at the Dubai showpiece on 5-7 March 2009, joining England, France and Scotland, whose Cup quarter final appearances at the 2005 event in Hong Kong guaranteed them a place in the draw.
The Portuguese lived up to their billing as top seeds at Hannover's AWD Arena, beating Wales by four tries to two to win the Cup final 26-12. The two sides had won through with tight victories over Ireland and Georgia, who also qualified for Dubai by reaching the Cup semi finals.
The fifth qualifying berth went to the winners of the Plate trophy, Italy, who battled first past hosts Germany and then a strong Spain side in the final.
The overall standard among the 12 European sides vying for the five places was extremely high. On day one Wales trailed at half time against Ireland and then needed a try at the death to deny Ukraine victory. Portugal edged hosts Germany 14-12 in their third match and Georgia needed a last minute breakaway to beat Russia.
While the hosts Germany were downed by Pablo Feijoo's last minute try for Spain, Markus Walger sealed a 17-12 win over Romania and they then pushed Italy close in the Plate before beating the Ukraine to finish seventh overall.
Click here for full results & standings from 2008 Hannover Sevens >>
Women's Rugby World Cup Sevens
For the first time in 2009 the 24-team men's competition will run alongside a 16-team women's World Cup Sevens. Brazil, unbeaten in four years, have already qualified from South America, while England, the Netherlands, France, Russia, Spain and Italy have also made it through to the maiden event from Europe. Details of the remaining regional qualifiers are below.
2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens qualifying schedule
Completed Qualifiers
South America (CONSUR)
Men's & Women's qualifiers - Punta del Este, 18-19 January 2008
Men: Argentina (direct qualifiers from RWC Sevens 2005) & Uruguay
Women: Brazil
Europe (FIRA-AER)
Men's qualifiers – Hannover, 12-13 July 2008; Women's qualifiers - Limoges, 14-15 June 2008
Men: Portugal, Wales, Ireland, Georgia, Italy
Women: England, Netherlands, France, Russia, Spain, Italy
Upcoming Qualifiers
Oceania (FORU)
Men's & Women's qualifiers – Samoa, 24-25 July 2008
- Two men’s teams to qualify (Australia, Fiji, New Zealand direct qualifiers from RWC Sevens 2005)
- Two women’s teams to qualify
Africa (CAR)
Men's – Tunisia, 31 October - 1 November ; Women’s – Uganda, 20-21 September 2008
- Three men’s teams to qualify (South Africa direct qualifier from RWC Sevens 2005)
- Two women’s teams to qualify
Asia (ARFU)
Men's & Women's qualifiers - Hong Kong, 4-5 October
- Two men’s teams to qualify (Arabian Gulf qualify as Host Union)
- Three women’s teams to qualify
North America (NAWIRA)
Men's & Women's qualifiers – Bahamas, 25-26 October 2008
- Two men’s teams to qualify
- Two women’s teams to qualify
