Following the completion of the sixth and final qualifying heat in Moscow, the 10-team line-up is now complete for the climax of the European Sevens championship in Hannover, Germany on 11-12 July.

Italy won the sixth heat in Moscow, beating the hosts Russia in the semi finals and then Moldova 36-12 to clinch the title, and qualify along with defending champions Portugal, France, Russia, Moldova, Spain, Georgia, Romania, Germany and Poland.

The Hannover winner will be crowned FIRA's European Sevens champion, emulating Portugal's feat of 2008.

The Portuguese won both of the qualifying heats they contested, in Sopot and Ostrava, as did France, in Athens and Split. The other tournament winners were Russia, in Odessa, and finally the Italians in Moscow.

With the participants now decided, organisation in Hannover can enter its final promotional phase.

"We're going to try and continue on from our success story last year, when we had 26,000 spectators for the first Hannover Sevens," said organiser Achim Behring-Scheil. "German television also came on board as a supporter, we had a super atmosphere and great sport.

"Reigning champions Portugal, France, Russia and Italy are all established teams but the rest will give them a tough competition."

European women's championship

Hannover also provides another showpiece for the women's game, which has gained in momentum since the inaugural Rugby World Cup Sevens for women in March 2009.

Hosts Germany will compete for the European title alongside nine others in Italy, Spain, Russia, Portugal, Moldova, Netherlands, France, Sweden and England.

"I saw the women compete at the World Cup in Dubai and was very impressed by the standard of women's Sevens and I'm confident that our tournament will provide it with another milestone," added Behring-Scheil.

"Next week we start our regional campaign with about 150 giant posters promoting the event all over the city and Hannover will then be a rugby town for 14 days."

Tickets

Tickets can be ordered for the event at www.hannover-sevens.de (website in German, English and French)

FIRA European Sevens circuit - qualifying heats

Event 1: 16-17 May – Sopot (Poland) – winners Portugal
Event 2: 23-24 May – Athens (Greece) – winners France
Event 3: 30-31 May – Split (Croatia) - winners France
Event 4: 6-7 June – Odessa (Ukraine) - winners Russia
Event 5: 6-7 June – Ostrava (Czech Republic) - winners Portugal
Event 6: 20-21 June – Moscow (Russia) - winners Italy
Final: 11-12 July – Hanover (Germany)