The 2019 European Sitting Volleyball Championships wrote an epic ending for its week-long run with Russia dominating both the men’s and women’s competition, yet again.

After being down two sets to one and facing three match points, the Russian men’s team retaliated to make an epic comeback over Boznia & Herzegovina, 3-2 (26-24, 23-25, 23-25, 25-22, 17-15), to win back-to-back titles; their women’s counterpart, meanwhile, won over Italy in dominating fashion, 3-0 (25-12, 25-16, 25-22) to defend their crown.

Russia’s Viktor Milenin took home the Most Valuable Player trophy for the men’s competition while Iuliia Mednikova took home the honours for the women’s side.

With this victory, the men from Russia have secured their ticket for the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. They now join hosts Japan, 2018 World Championship silver medallists Boznia & Herzegovina, 2018 world and Asian champions Iran and 2019 Asian Championship silver medallists China.

On the other hand, Italy have also taken a slot in the Paralympics as Russia have already qualified by virtue of winning last year’s women’s world championship. Qualified for the women’s tournament in Tokyo are hosts Japan, 2018 World Championship silver medallists United States and 2019 Asian champs China.

Only three spots remain open for both the men’s and women’s competition in Tokyo: one for the 2019 Parapan American Games champions, another one for 2019 ParaVolley Africa Zonal champions and one more for the World ParaVolley Final Paralympic Qualification Event winners in 2020.