Ireland and Bermuda into last four

Hosts Ireland, along with Bermuda, booked their places in the semi-finals with wins in the last round of group matches. Bermuda's victory meant that they (and Ireland) will be involved in the Caribbean's 2007 World Cup, as well gaining ODI status for four years and $500,000 of funding from the ICC.

But Denmark, who came into the tournament as outsiders and who rated their own best hope as a sixth-place finish, saw their own dreams of a place in the last four evaporate as they were well beaten by Ireland who had Ed Joyce to thank for bailing them out after they slipped to 28 for 3. Denmark needed a good start in chasing 223 in unhelpful conditions, but lost early wickets and despite a spirited 58 from Baljit Singh, fell 73 runs short. But Ireland will have to do without Joyce from now on in as he returns to Middlesex.

Denmark will now meet Netherlands on Saturday with the winners of that tie going on to play the winners of the other play-off between UAE and Namibia. The side that wins that game will join the four semi-finalists in the World Cup.

Bermuda took full advantage of Denmark's slip by routing USA in a one-sided meeting at Waringstown. Bermuda were wobbling on 88 for 4, but Janeiro Summers (132) and Dean Minors (41) savaged the dispirited bowling, enabling them to reach 311 for 8. USA, whose performances have been verging on the shambolic, were never remotely in the hunt and they were bowled out for 198 with more than 14 overs of their innings remaining. One of the pre-tournament favourites, they slink back home without a win to their name.

UAE, another one of the fancied teams to have had a disappointing tournament, ended with a win over Uganda, one of the surprise packages. Naeemuddin led the way with 76, but with only two batsmen passing 20, UAE's final score of 201 looked very chasable. But Uganda lost early wickets, slipping to 66 for 6, before finally being bowled out for 138.