GENEVA, APRIL 2, 2004, RIA NOVOSTI - Russia's national women's hockey squad will play the Finns in the final qualifier round for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. According to the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) press service, the four best squads on the IIHF world rankings will go on to compete in Turin. Canada, the U.S. and Sweden have won the top three positions. Russia and Finland will compete for the fourth place on the IIHF rankings in a April 5 match.
The women's hockey team of Italy will also take part in the 2006 Olympics, to be hosted by the northern Italian city of Turin.
Other participants in the next Winter Olympics are to be selected in a November 2004 qualifier tournament.
