At this weekend’s rich €2m Furusiyya Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, Ireland’s fate in the series for 2015 will be decided by Norway. Having placed second in the Division II European League, the Norwegians qualified along with first-placed Italy for the final. While the Italians get automatic promotion into Division I, the Norwegians must finish in the top eight out of the 15 finalists in order to be promoted. If they fail to do that, then Ireland, who stand first reserve at the moment, will retain their much-desired place in Division I for the 2015 season.

For the Irish, 2014 was a season of near misses during which single fences denied us qualification for the Rio Olympics, the Furusiyya Final and security in Division I. Now comes our last chance of Furusiyya redemption and it is all down to the Norwegians. They are among the 15 nations that qualified out of the seven worldwide divisions. These lucky 15 plus the home side will compete in the first of three final competitions tomorrow afternoon in the all-weather Club Real Arena. Only the top eight in that competition proceed to Sunday’s overall final.

If Norway make the cut into Sunday, Ireland will be out of Division I for 2015. If they miss, then we are safe in the division, which opens the door to the world’s top Nations Cup shows. 

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