SOZOPOL, BULGARIA: Ireland came from behind against Bulgaria in the first of the promotion play-off ties in Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Europe Group III to earn promotion back to Group II for the first time since 2015.
Dimitar Kuzmanov scored an upset in the opening rubber against Sam Barry as the world No. 492 held his nerve to win a final set tiebreak 8-6 and give the host nation a real chance of taking victory.
James McGhee had been imperious in the opening two matches of the week but came unstuck against Ljubomir Celebic on Friday and found himself in a tight situation again against Aleksandar Lazov at a set apiece. The Irish No. 1 stepped on the gas in the decider to level the tie, 62 46 61.
Bulgaria sent in their two singles players for the deciding rubber while Ireland brought in doubles specialist David O'Hare alongside Barry. The Irish pair continued their strong showing in the competition as they added a fifth rubber to their streak of not losing a set as they earned their side promotion with a 61 76(6) victory.
Luxembourg scored an immediate return to Group II with a 2-1 victory over Macedonia, F.Y.R in the other play-off.
Ugo Nastasi got them away to the perfect start as he recorded a fourth singles victory of the week against Dimitar Grabul, 64 63.
His work was not done, however, as Tomislav Jotovski inflicted a first loss of the tournament on the Luxembourg team to send the tie to a deciding doubles.
Nastasi joined forces with Alex Knaff against Grabul and Jotovski and after the teams split two tight sets the Luxembourgers ran away with the third to celebrate a 75 46 62 victory and join Ireland in Group II in 2018.