The Welsh Korfball squad has qualified for next year’s Korfball European Championships in style by winning the Eurobowl tournament unbeaten in Luxembourg.

Wales returned to the Eurobowl as reigning champions having won the tournament in 2007, and faced Sweden, Scotland, Ireland, France and host team, Luxembourg.

It was the first time the competition was being used as a qualification for the European Championships which takes place in Holland in October 2010.

Wales’s first match was against France which they won 11-5 and then went on to defeat Luxembourg, followed by Ireland.

Day two of the tournament saw Wales line up against Scotland with the match finishing at 18-5 then Wales continued its unbeaten record by finishing 12-6 against Sweden in the last match of the day to take the title.

Captain Nick Wilkins said: “The squad has worked extremely hard in training and in a warm up tournament in Holland in October so I’m very pleased that our effort and commitment has paid off.

"Ireland is a team of experienced and very strong players and Scotland was a young team who were one of the favourites to win, so it’s a very good feeling to be ranked higher than some very respectable teams.

"To qualify for the Europeans is great for us and returning to Wales unbeaten for the second tournament running puts us in a great position to really do well next year.

"The European Championships are made even more exciting with the fact that they are being held in Holland, where korfball originates and is extremely popular.”

Chairman of the Welsh Korfball Association Ian O’Sullivan said: “The Welsh Korfball team has done extremely well and the players really punched above their weight. It’s fantastic that Wales has qualified for our first major tournament.

"Wales has some excellent players who have really gained from some expert coaching by Dave Buckland, former Great Britain captain.

"We are a fast growing sport in Wales and this result has given everyone an added boost. However, the hard work has just started and we are now focusing all our efforts to performing well in the European Championships next October."