KEY POINTS:
New Zealand sits in third place after the preliminary rounds of the World Schools' Debating Championships in Athens, Greece.
After winning their first eight preliminary debates, the team now moves into the knockout phase of the competition. It is drawn to debate 14th ranked Wales tonight New Zealand time.
If New Zealand wins against Wales they go on to debate either Canada or Ireland in the quarterfinals tomorrow.
New Zealand Schools Debating Council spokesman Christopher Bishop said it was the second world champs in a row in which New Zealand had won all their preliminary debates.
"We're hoping that the team can go one better than in 2008 and take out New Zealand's first victory since 1995", he said.
New Zealand was the narrow runner-up to England at the 2008 championships, losing in a 5-4 split decision in the final.
- NZPA
