Great Britain,Austria,Sweden, Canada and Czech Republic won their matches on Sunday.If at all there can be a good thing in a loss, good thing in this loss is we get into another world group playoff in February 2019.
We will not be seeded there and will meet one of the 12 seeded teams in a home and away tie.
Currently, following 7 teams are confirmed seeded there - Italy,Germany,Kazakhstan, Belgium,Argentina,Serbia,Japan. 5 matches are in third day - Great Britain up 2-1 over Uzbekistan,Austria up 2-1 over Australia, Sweden up 2-1 over Switzerland,Canada up 2-1 over Netherlands and Hungary up 2-1 over Czech Republic. The winners in those matches will be seeded.
I do see some tough but some winnable match-ups there for us. Will have to check home and away combinations too.
So, as of now this looks like our possible opponents in world group qualifying round in February -
Italy (home)
Germany (away)
Kazakhstan (home)
Belgium (home)
Argentina (away)
Serbia (home)
Japan (home)
Great Britain (home)
Austria (home)
Sweden (away)
Canada (home)
Czech Republic (away)
Good that 8 of the 12 possible ties looks to be at home. I will take Kazakstan, Japan or Austria at home or Sweden away.