Denmark had high hopes of gaining promotion to Division 3 of the World Cricket League this week in Singapore, but their campaign ended today at the hands of European rivals Italy.

Batting first after winning the toss at the Padang, Denmark's top order was quickly removed by the Italian bowlers, with the first four wickets going with just 19 runs on the board. The Danes did manage to recover somewhat from there though, with Shehzad Ahmed and Amjad Khan putting on 114 for the sixth wicket.

That partnership ended when Khan became the fourth wicket for Gayashan Munasinghe having scored 73 at exactly a run a ball. Ahmed followed him soon afterwards for 55, and Denmark were restricted to 236-8 from their 50 overs. Munasinghe was the pick of the bowlers with 4-52, with Vince Pennazza taking 3-43.

Knowing that they'd need to score their runs quickly to improve their chances of avoiding relegation, Italy set about their chase in rapid fashion. Openers Andy Northcote and Dinidu Marage put on 150 in 24.3 overs before Marage was out for 82.

Amjad Khan bowled number three Carl Sandri soon afterwards, and had Northcote out lbw for 73 in his next over, but the damage had already been done. Italy's captain Damian Crowley led his team home with an unbeaten 39, completing a six wicket win.

With Malaysia and Singapore both winning their games, against Oman and Jersey respectively, this meant that Denmark finished third and Italy avoided relegation and finished fourth. The two sides will meet again tomorrow in the third place play-off.