(BEIJING, February 27) -- The quarterfinals of the 1st AIBA European Olympic Qualification Tournament, held in Roseto Degli Abruzzi, Italy on Wednesday, saw 44 boxers from 19 European countries defeat their rivals to enter the semifinals to vie for 26 vacancies to the Beijing Olympics, reported AIBA official website. According to the Beijing Olympic boxing qualification system, a total of 26 Olympic tickets are on offer at the first-round European qualification event to silver and gold medalists in the Light Flyweight, Flyweight, Lightweight, Light Welterweight, Light Heavyweight, Heavyweight and Super Heavyweight divisions being joined by the gold, silver and bronze medallists in the Bantamweight, Featherweight, Welterweight and Middleweight classes in Beijing. The Ukraine and England lead the way with five boxers in each category into the semifinals, followed by Belarus and Hungary with three apiece. Russia will only compete in the 48kg semifinals with two boxers. But the traditional powerhouse Russia had collected 9 vacancies previously at the AIBA World Championships Chicago 2007. A total of 232 athletes from 42 countries participated in the 1st AIBA European Olympic Qualification Tournament in Italy, and the 2nd AIBA European Olympic Qualification Tournament will take place in Greece April 7-14 with 25 vacancies on offer in Greece. A total of 40 European boxers already claimed tickets for Beijing at the first Olympic qualifier -- the AIBA World Championships Chicago 2007. The remaining 51 European quotas have been split between two continental qualification events. Thursday is a rest day and more exciting semifinals and finals will be held on Friday and Saturday.
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