PARDUBICE, Czech Republic -- Belarus beat France in a penalty shootout to win 4-2 Thursday in the second match of a relegation series at the world junior ice hockey championships.

Belarus secured a berth in the world elite group, while France was relegated. Germany will take France's spot at next year's championships.

France won 3-2 in the first match of the relegation round, played by teams that did advance to the quarterfinals of the 10-team tournament. Belarus won 30-2 Thursday, leaving the teams tied in total goals, and neither side scored in overtime.

With Dzmitri Mialeshka scoring the decisive goal, Belarus won the shootout 4-3.

In Friday's championship, Canada plays Russia.