Iran reaches final round of 2006 Robo World Cup in Germany

IRNA - Iran has reached the final round of this year's Robo Cup, currently taking place in north German city of Bremen, an Iranian team spokesman told IRNA on Friday.

"Several Iranian Robo Cup teams have qualified for Saturday's final round of the 10th Robo Cup in Bremen," said Mohammad Kashani Vahid who heads a joint Robo Cup team from Tehran's Polytechnical University and Sharif University.

Some 440 teams-- comprised of 2500 computer engineers, young computer talents and information scientists -- from 36 countries are participating in the 10th Robo Cup, fighting for 33 World Cup titles.

Iran has the largest Robo Cup squad with around 50 teams, representing Iranian universities and firms, according to Kashani Vahid.

"The main motivation of the Robo Cup is football and the rules of the game are very similar to those in football," he added.

Kashani Vahid pointed out that Germany is a very strong contender at the international robotic football tournament in Bremen, having also won last year's World Cup title.