Italy put the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons with a surprise win over Germany this morning as the European Division Two T20 World Cup qualifier resumed today in Jersey after the teams enjoyed a rest day yesterday.

The sides had never met before in women's T20I cricket, but the German team have long been the best associate side in Europe after Scotland and the Netherlands. And after an unbeaten knock of 87 from 60 balls by Tina Gough led Germany to a total of 142-3 at Grainville, it was looking like the game would go to form.

But the Italian batters proved to be tenacious, holding on just below the required rate. When Emilia Bartram came in at the fall of the third wicket, Italy needed 41 from the last 21 balls. Bartram then scored a quick 26 from 11 balls to help her team get home with two balls to spare, winning by 7 wickets. Dilaisha Nanayakkara was their top scorer with 36.

With Germany reeling, Sweden were able to score 139-6 against them in the afternoon game at the same venue, their third highest total in women's T20I cricket. Signe Lundell top scored for them with 49 and Gunjan Shukla contributing 37. After Anne Bierswisch fell for a first ball duck in the German run chase, Tina Gough's fine form continued with an unbeaten 72 from 59 balls. Her innings helped Germany chase down their target with ten balls to spare to win by seven wickets.

Over at FB Fields, France were playing twice today. In the morning they took on Turkey, scoring 169-4 thanks to unbeaten knocks of 58 by Poppy McGeown and 47 by Amy Seddon. They then bundled Turkey out for just 41 to win by 128 runs.

In the afternoon they came up against hosts Jersey. This time they could only manage 110-8 batting first with Ines Mckeon - sister of Gus who took the men's sub-regional qualifier by storm last year - top scoring with 35. Jersey then took their chase down to the wire but fell six runs short with three balls still to be bowled. Anika Bester took 4-20 for the visitors.

The results mean that Italy just need to beat Turkey during the final day of play to secure their spot in Division One against Scotland and the Netherlands in Spain in September. France will take on Germany in a straight shoot-out for the other place. Hosts Jersey play Sweden in the other match tomorrow, and their net run rate is such that they could still squeeze into the top two with a win in the unlikely event that Italy slip up.