Ten teams are competing to join Italy and Denmark, the winners of the first two rounds, at the regional finals of the massive European T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Qualifiers, which began today (July 24) in Finland.

Favorites Guernsey defeated Bulgaria to get off to a strong start in Group 1. Austria, who defeated Luxembourg in their opening match, and Slovenia, who will enter the Group 1 action tomorrow, are also at the top of the table. While the Swiss are yet to play, Norway and France both defeated Estonia and the Czech Republic to take the lead in Group 2.

In the event that Jersey, Germany, any or all of the Netherlands, Ireland, or Scotland fail to qualify directly for the 2022 World Cup or via the rankings, the winners of each of the three competitions will earn a spot at the European Regional Finals the following year. At the first tournament, which was held in Belgium last month, Denmark won, and Italy qualified for the second one, which was held in Finland two weeks ago.

The European Regional Finals will have the opportunity to win one of two berths in the 2024 T20 World Cup. The regional finals throughout the five designated regions of the ICC are only one step away from the World Cup itself because the Global T20 Qualifier will be discontinued after this cycle.

The sub-regionals give nations the chance to improve their T20 rankings, which will probably be essential for advancing on the upcoming cycle’s 50-over international ladder (details of which are anticipated to be revealed at the current ICC meeting in Birmingham).

Each of the week-long quickfire tournaments features 10 teams divided into two groups of five. The inaugural one, held in Belgium, included eight teams split into two groups that competed in cross-over semi-finals before the final.

The winners of each group advance directly to the final after playing in a single round robin. Group 1 is made up of Guernsey, Austria, Slovenia, Luxembourg, and Bulgaria, whereas Group 2 is made up of Norway, France, Switzerland, Czechia, and Estonia. The matches will once again be spread between two venues: the Tikkurila Cricket Ground in Helsinki and the Kerava National Ground, which is located just to the northeast of the city.