Shortly after the end of the MLB organized event, the twelve best teams in Europe kick off the tournament calendar on the old continent, as Italy is hosting both European Cups from March 30th till April 4th.

At this point the 2009 Division de Honor season is going to be already two weeks old. Most of the other countries begin on the last weekend in March and the first in April, except for the Scandinavian leagues, which should open in May.

The European Cup Qualifier in Slovakia, Austria, Belgium and the Czech Republic are scheduled for June 15 to 20. The four best clubs from the European Cups are going to battle on June 20/21 at the Final Four in Barcelona, Spain.

The summer consists of European Championships on various youth levels and two big tournaments in July with the World Port Tournament in Rotterdam and the Prague Baseball Week.

The Softball schedule will also peek during the summer, when the European Softball Championships take place in Belgium and Spain and the European elite clubs meet in Italy for the European Cups.

The highlight of the year is set for September 9 to 27, when seven European countries will host the 38th IBAF Baseball World Cup. 22 teams will fight three weeks long for wins and hopefully impress IOC members in Europe enough to get back into the Olympics in October.

The year ends with the playoffs, league finals and relegation games next fall.

Overview:

• March 5 to 23: World Baseball Classic in Japan and North America
• March 14: Spanish Division de Honor first league in Europe to start season
• March 30 to April 4: Baseball European Cups in Italy
• June 15 to 20: Baseball European Cup Qualifiers in Trnava, Attnang-Puchheim, Antwerp, Ostrava
• June 20/21: Baseball European Cup Final Four in Barcelona
• July 7 to 11: Baseball European Championships Cadets Under-15 in Czech Republic
• July 2 to 12: World Port Tournament in Rotterdam
• July 14 to 19: Softball European Championships Cadets in San Sebastian
• July 20 to 26: Baseball European Championships Cadets Under-15 Qualifier in Antwerp and Sofia (if more than eight teams)
• July: Baseball European Championships Juveniles Under-12 in Dupnitza
• July: Prague Baseball Week
• July 27 to August  2: Softball European Championships A-Pool in Valencia, B-Pool in Hoboken
• August 3 to 9: Baseball European Championships Under-18 in Bonn
• August 9 to 16: Softball Easton Foundation Youth World Cup in Prague
• August 17 to 22: Softball European Cups in Legnano and Parma
• September 9 to 27: 38th IBAF Baseball World Cup in Spain, Germany, Russia, Czech Republic, Sweden, Netherlands and Italy

Final Standings:
Trnava, Slovakia:

1. Ukraine
2. Romania
3. Slovakia
4. Hungary
5. Finland

Prague, Czech Republic:

1. Czech Republic
2. Slovenia
3. Poland
4. Belarus
5. Latvia

Karlovac, Croatia:

1. Croatia
2. Lithuania
3. Israel
4. Bulgaria
5. Serbia

Abrantes, Portugal:

1. Greece
2. Russia
3. Portugal
4. Ireland

Antwerp, Belgium:

1. Belgium
2. Austria
3. Switzerland
4. Malta

Finals: Belgium – Austria 3-1

AUT 001 000 000  1 6 0
BEL 020 000 01X  3 4 2

The Belgian National Team used their home field advantage in Antwerp and defeated Austria 3-1 on Saturday to secure first place at the Qualifier, after winning the best-of-three series 2-0. They already had won on Friday 5-2.

Kevin Roevens got them on the board with a two-run single in the bottom of the second for a 2-0 lead. Clemens Cichocki made it 1-2 for Austria with a RBI single in the third. They even had a chance to score more, but Peter Ferak Jr. grounded into a inning ending double play with runners on second and third. The host added an insurance runs in the eighth through a RBI groundout by Steven Delannoy to seal the win.

Dennis Van Hoof (W 1-0) struck out twelve in a complete game victory. He allowed one run on six hits and a walk. Walter Strasser (L 0-1) didn’t make much wrong, but lost in the pitcher’s duel. He was charged with four hits, three runs (2 ER) and a base on balls in eight innings. He had ten strikeouts.

Box score

For Third Place: Switzerland – Malta 12-6

MAL 200 000 400   6  7 5
SUI 100 142 40X  12 12 4

Switzerland secured third place at the Qualifier with a 12-6 victory against Malta on Saturday morning. They scored eleven of the twelve runs between the fourth and seventh frame to decide the outcome. The outfielders Reto Siegel (3-4) and Stefan Koller combined for seven RBIs. Angelo Rodriguez, Saentis Zeller and Daniel Traina each scored twice. Marlon Borg reached home two times for Malta.

Christoph Beyeler (W 1-0) allowed four hits, two runs and five bb in six innings. He struck out nine in the solid start. Michael Bartolo (L 0-1) was responsible for twelve hits, twelve runs (8 ER) and four walks in 6 2/3 innings. He had seven strikeouts.

Box score

Complete Schedule, Standings, Stats

Photo: © Joe Yun

Romania – Ukraine 1-8

UKR 100 050 200  8 5 3
ROM 000 000 010  1 4 5

The Ukraine used a five-run third to beat Romania 8-1 to tie the best-of-three series in the morning. They needed just five hits and four RBI to put their runs on the board, as they profited from several errors, passed balls and wild pitches. Denys Agapov and Serhiy Holovko each scored twice.

Maksym Lisnitsky (W 1-0) allowed two hits, one run and a walk in 6 2/3 innings. Mihai Burlea (L 1-1) was not as good as in the first round, giving up five hits, eight runs (3 ER) and four base on balls in nine innings. The Hoofdklasse pitcher struck out nine.

Box score

Ukraine – Romania 16-4

ROM 310 000 0   4  8 8
UKR 232 171 X  16 10 1

After losing game one on the day, Romania came out firing in the decisive match in the afternoon. They opened the first period with three runs on a RBI single by Gabriel Constantinescu, an error and a RBI groundout by Mihai Georgescu.

However their pitching staff and especially their defense was not able to hold the Ukraine offense down. They committed eight errors, which led to twelve unearned runs and the Ukraine scored in every of the first six frames, highlighted by a seven-run fifth. They won by a final score of 16-4.

Ruslan Deykun, Artem Palamarchuk, and Serhiy Holovko each drove in two runs. Oleksandr Mamontov and Dmytro Nelipa scored three times apiece.

Anatoliy Korolev (UKR) started and lasted just one out, allowing three hits and three runs (1 ER) in the first period. Oleksandr Trofimenko (W 2-0) replaced him and gave up just one unearned run on five hits and a walk in 5 2/3 innings. Andrei Apostoaei (L 0-1) was charged with six hits, eight runs (3 ER) and a bb in four innings.

Box score

Complete Schedule, Standings, Stats

27 batters up, 27 batters down. Thomas Lyons (W 1-0) threw a perfect game for Greece in a 5-0 shutout against Russia. He never got to a full count and needed just 86 pitches to accomplish the feat. He struck out 15. Just one Russian batter hit a Flyball into the outfield, getting caught by the right fielder.

The offense provided Lyons with the necessary run support in the fourth, when Stephan Palos was hit by pitch with the bases loaded. One period later Chris Lemonis made it 4-0 with a three-run homerun. James Demetral scored his third run of the game in the seventh on a bases loaded walk.

Viacheslav Vasilyev (L 0-1) allowed five hits, five runs and two walks in 6 2/3 innings.

Box score

Complete Schedule, Standings, Stats

Croatia defeated Lithuania on Saturday in Karlovac 5-4 to decide the best-of-three series 2-0, as they already had won the preliminary round match 8-3 on Thursday. After both teams scored once in the opening period, the Croatians took the lead in the fourth on a RBI single by Filip Berecka. Josip Brozinic drove in the third run with a RBI groundout an inning later. They added two more insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh through Damir Karin’s (3-3, BB) two-run single.

They needed the advantage greatly, as Lithuania rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth. They loaded the bases with two outs through two singles and an error. Arunas Dankovskis stepped to the plate and cleared the bases with a triple. But the Croatian made a pitching change and Ernesto Pereira (S 1) struck out Tomas Jankoitis to secure the victory.

James Summers (W 2-0) pitched 8 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits, four runs (1 ER) and two base balls, striking out eight. Marijus Dargis (L 0-1) gave up seven hits, five runs (3 ER) and four walks in six innings.

Box score

Complete Schedule, Standings, Stats

Radek Prochaczka (W 1-0) and Jan Rehacek combined for a one-hit shutout to lead the Czech National Team to an 8-0 win against Slovenia and first place at the Qualifier in Prague. Prochaczka allowed just one double to the second batter he faced and gave up just two more walks in the first seven innings. Rehacek closed out the one-hitter with two no-hit one-walk innings of relief.

The Czech Republic took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second, when Cincinnati Reds prospect Petr Cech scored on an error by second baseman Peter Milosevic. They added seven more runs to the board till the end, highlighted by a solo shot by Jakub Malik (2-4, 2 Runs, 2 RBI) in the fifth.

Ales Mravlje (L 0-1) was charged with four hits, four runs (1 ER) and a walk in 3 2/3 innings to take the loss.

A third game was not necessary, as the Czech had won the preliminary duel on Wednesday 3-2 in eleven innings.

Box score

Complete Schedule, Standings, Stats

Trnava, Slovakia (Complete Schedule, Standings, Stats):
11:00 Romania – Ukraine (Romania leading 1-0)
14:00 Game three if necessary.

Prague, Czech Republic (Complete Schedule, Standings, Stats):
11:00 Czech Republic – Slovenia (Czech Republic leading 1-0)
14:00 Game three if necessary.

Karlovac, Croatia (Complete Schedule, Standings, Stats):
11:00 Croatia – Lithuania (Croatia leading 1-0)
14:00 Game three if necessary.

Abrantes, Portugal (Complete Schedule, Standings, Stats):
11:00 Greece – Russia (Greece leading 1-0)
15:00 Game three if necessary.

Antwerp, Belgium (Complete Schedule, Standings, Stats):
10:00 Switzerland – Malta (For third place)
14:00 Belgium – Austria (Belgium leading 1-0)
Game three if necessary would start 30 minutes after conclusion of game two.

SUI 102 000 020   5  8 2
BEL 180 000 03X  12 11 5

After rain postponed the matchup till Friday morning, Belgium used an eight-run second en route to a 12-5 victory against Switzerland. They faced Austria in the evening, which already accounts for the first game of the final best-of-three series to determine the Qualifier winner.

Kim Wybo went two-for-five with a homerun and four RBI. Steven Delannoy had three hits, two runs and four RBI. Benjamin Dille scored three times. Stefan Koller scored twice for Switzerland. Tobias Siegrist drove in two.

Kenny Vandenbranden (W 1-0) allowed eight hits, five runs (2 ER) and a walk in nine innings to pick up the win. He struck out seven. Koller (L 0-1) was charged with four hits, seven runs (6 ER) and three bb in 1 1/3 innings.

Box score

Switzerland – Malta 16-6 (8)

MAL 200 011 20   6  5 7
SUI 204 017 11  16 19 4

Switzerland produced 16 runs on 19 hits and crushed Malta 16-6 in eight innings to finish in third place at the Qualifier in Antwerp. They scored seven runs alone in the sixth. Reto Siegel drove in three. Saentis Zeller scored three times. Six batters reached home at least twice. Stefan Koller had four hits, including two doubles. Mark Cauchi had two RBI for Malta.

Thomas Burger (SUI) started and struck out nine in four innings, allowing one hit, two unearned runs and four bb. Benjamin Montag (W 1-0) got the win. Charles Attard (L 0-1) gave up 17 hits, 14 runs (7 ER) and four walks in 5 2/3 innings.

Box score

Belgium – Austria 5-2

AUT 000 000 101  2 6 2
BEL 001 210 10X  5 9 1

In the last game of the preliminary round, Belgium defeated Austria 5-2. As both teams also play in the finals on Saturday, the Belgian victory was even more important, as they now already lead 1-0 in the best-of-three series to determine the Qualifier champion.

Benjamin Dille got Belgium in front with a RBI double in the third. They added three more in the next two periods for a commanding 4-0 advantage after five. Dille finished with three hits, two runs scored and a RBI. Kim Wybo, Sim Ruts and Kevin Roevens also drove in runs. Austria scored their runs in the seventh and ninth on two wild pitches. But it was too little too late.

Terence Antonacci (W 1-0) struck out eleven in eight-plus innings. He gave up six hits, two runs (1 ER) and two walks. Werner Harrasser (L 0-1) allowed nine hits, five runs (4 ER) and three bb in eight innings.

Box score

Standings after first round:

1. Belgium 3-0
2. Austria 2-1
3. Switzerland 1-2
4. Malta 0-3

GRE 101 020 100  5 4 2
IRE 000 000 100  1 3 4

The Greek team advanced into the finals of the qualifier with their third victory in the third game. They defeated Ireland 5-1. Ioann Apostolopoulos went one-for-three with a triple and two RBI. Panagiotis Cheilakis scored three times.

Christopher Lemonis (GRE) started and threw two no-hit innings. Nicholas Theodorou (W 1-0) picked up the win. Niall Rouen (L 0-1) allowed one hits, two runs (1 ER) and five bb in four innings to take the loss.

Box score

Russia – Portugal 10-0 (8)

POR 000 000 00   0  5 3
RUS 002 007 01  10 11 1

Russia used a seven-run sixth to beat Portugal 10-0 and to reach the finals on Saturday against Greece. Oleg Semonov got the big hit with a grand slam. Dmitry Lukin, Alexander Vasiliev and Nikita Monakhov each scored twice.

Rinat Makhmutov (W 1-0) allowed four hits and two walks in seven scoreless innings for the win. Tiago Rodrigues (L 0-1) gave up eight hits, eight runs (6 ER) and five bb in 5 1/3 innings.

Box score

Standings after first round:

1. Greece 3-0
2. Russia 2-1
3. Portugal 1-2
4. Ireland 0-3

LIT 100 000 000 0  1 4 3
ISR 010 000 000 1  2 8 2

Israel moved their record to 2-2 with a 2-1 extra inning victory against Lithuania. Amit Kurz scored the winning run in the bottom of the tenth on a fielding error by third baseman Audrius Beliauskas. Lithuania had taken a 1-0 lead in the first, when Tomas Jankoitis scored on a wild pitch. Asaf Rothem tied the game in the second with a RBI single.

Shlomo Lipetz (W 2-0) allowed four hits, one run  and three walks in a complete game victory. He struck out six. Kazimieras Glaveckas (L 0-1) also went the distance and was charged with eight hits, two runs (1 ER) and four bb in 9 2/3 innings.

Box score

Croatia – Bulgaria 7-6

BUL 100 050 000  6 11 3
CRO 001 501 00X  7 11 4

Slobodan Gales’ homerun in the bottom of the sixth led Croatia to a 7-6 win against Bulgaria. It was the final point after an offensive exchange between the two teams in the first five frames. Matija Grofelnik also hit a homerun for Croatia. Damir Karin drove in two. Dimitar Nassapov hit a three-run homerun for Bulgaria. Yasen Nedelchev went three-for-five with two RBI.

Dejan Marin (CRO) was charged with seven hits, six runs and two walks in 4 2/3 innings. Gales (W 1-0) also made his marks on the mound, picking up the win after three innings of relief. Nedelchev (L 1-1) allowed eleven hits, seven runs (4 ER) and a bb in seven innings.

Box score

Standings after first round:

1. Croatia 4-0
2. Lithuania 2-2
3. Israel 2-2
4. Bulgaria 2-2
5. Serbia 0-4

LAT 010 015 00   7 10 12
BLR 003 612 41  17 11 10

Belarus crushed Latvia 17-7 in a wild game, in which both teams combined for a whopping 22 errors. Y. Karalevich and A. Lameika each scored three runs. Four players got two RBI for Belarus. A. Ansons had four hits and two RBI for Latvia.

Aliaksandr Ivanovich (BLR) started and gave up two hits, one unearned run and a walk in two innings. Raman Tohaleu (W 1-1) received the win. Kristaps Duselis (L 0-2) allowed eight hits, nine runs (7 ER) and two bb in 3 2/3 innings.

Box score

Slovenia – Poland 2-3

POL 021 000 000  3 7 0
SOL 000 110 000  2 5 5

Poland took a fast 3-0 lead after three innings and stopped a Slovenian rally right in time to prevail for a 3-2 victory. Nonetheless Slovenia advanced into the final on Saturday. Jakub Rozwadowski scored the first run in the second on a passed ball. Piotr Cedzynsky drove in the second run with a RBI single. One frame later Mariusz Grzanowsky made it 3-0, when he reached home through a wild pitch. Poland tried to come back, cutting the deficit to a run through a RBI single by Klemen Gajzer and a RBI triple by Uros Rudolf. But it was not enough.

Marek Deska (W 1-0) struck out twelve in a complete game victory. He allowed five hits, two runs and three walks. Mirko Kucinik (L 0-1) gave up four hits and three runs (2 ER) in 2 1/3 innings.

Box score

Standings after first round:

1. Czech Republic 4-0
2. Slovenia 2-2
3. Poland 2-2
4. Belarus 2-2
5. Latvia 0-4

HUN 001 000 100  2 7 1
ROM 002 001 00X  3 6 5

Romania also won their fourth game of the preliminary round on Friday, defeating Hungary 3-2. They took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third, when Andrei Lucaciu doubled home a run, stole third and scored the second on a sac fly by Sorin Serbanescu. In the sixth Crisitan Radu reached through a walk, moved to third via a steal and an error by the pitcher and scored the third run, when he also stole home. This insurance run was even more important, when Hungary cut the deficit to 2-3 with a RBI single by Zsolt Zalabai.

Zalabai (L 0-2) also took the loss, after allowing four hits, two runs and a walk in five innings. Adrian Preda (W 1-0) gave up two hits, one unearned run and two base on balls in three innings.

Box score

Slovakia – Finland 10-0 (7)

FIN 000 000 0   0  4 4
SVK 502 210 X  10 12 2

Slovakia completed the Qualifier with a 10-0 victory against Finland. Lucas Zilavy had three hits and three RBI. Alexander Vaclavik, Jan Jablonka and Igor Jankovic each drove in two.

Daniel Orlicky (SVK) started and allowed two hits and two walks in three innings. Tomas Biskorovajny (W 1-0) picked up the win. Timo Liiri (L 0-2) allowed five hits, five runs (4 ER) and a walk and was replaced before he even got an out in the first.

Box score

Standings after first round:

1. Romania 4-0
2. Ukraine 3-1
3. Slovakia 2-2
4. Hungary 1-3
5. Finland 0-4

BEL 550 310 1  15 17 4
MAL 100 000 0   1  4 4

After rain postponed the Qualifier opener for Belgium and Malta on Wednesday, both teams met on Thursday morning for an early session. The Belgians started strong and scored five runs in both of the first two periods en route to an easy 15-1 victory. Johnny Peerens and Sim Ruts led the attack with each two hits, two runs scored and three RBI. Benjamin Dille and Kevin Knollenburg scored a combined six times. Malta catcher Keith Bartolo had two doubles and a RBI.

Yannick Sel (W 1-0) gave up one run on four hits in a complete game victory. He struck out four. Patrick Pace (L 0-1) allowed 13 hits, 13 runs (11 ER) and four base on balls in four innings.

Both teams had to play later in the day too.

Box score

Austria – Malta 30-4 (5)

MAL   0 2  1  10   4  6 3
AUT (11)5(12) 2X  30 21 2

Austria crushed Malta on Thursday by a score of 30-4. They scored eleven runs in the first and twelve in the third, winning through mercy rule after five innings. Center fielder Max Scholdan went three-for-four with a homerun, three runs scored and six RBI. Leadoff hitter Joachim Frick was six-for-six with two doubles, five runs scored and six RBI. Peter Ferak Jr., Clemens Cichocki and Andre Gruber each reached home four times on the day.

Johannes Pernkopf (W 1-0) started for Austria, allowing one hit, two runs and four walks in two innings. Marlon Berg (L 0-1) was responsible for eight hits, 16 runs (11 ER) and four bb in 1 2/3 innings.

Box score

Belgium – Switzerland was postponed in the top of the fourth with Belgium leading 7-0 due to rain and is rescheduled for Friday July 11th at 10:00 am CET.

Complete Schedule, Standings, Stats

IRE 010 000 012 0  4  6 1
RUS 200 001 100 1  5 12 2

Russia needed a bases loaded walk by Nikita Monakhov in the bottom of the tenth to beat Ireland 5-4 on Thursday. The Irish overcame a 1-3 deficit in the last two periods of relegation, tying the contest through a second solo homerun by Jason Hove and a run after an error by shortstop Alexey Kizin. But in the end they lost anyway. Russia already had the chance to decide the outcome in the ninth, but failed to bring a run home with the bases loaded and one out.

Evgeny Vorotyntsev (RUS) struck out eight in seven solid innings. He allowed four hits, one run and a walk. Sean Finn (IRE) gave up eleven hits, four runs (3 ER) and seven bb in eight innings. Viacheslav Vasilyev (W 1-0) received the win, Niall Rouen (L 0-1) the loss.

Box score

Portugal – Greece 3-11

GRE 051 101 012  11 10 1
POR 000 002 000   3  4 6

Greece scored five runs in the second en route to an easy 11-3 victory against Portugal, their second of the tournament. Michael Koutsantonakis hit a homerun and drove in two. Erik Daniel Pappas and Constant Panagotacos also had two RBI apiece.

Andrew Brack (GRE) allowed just three hits in four scoreless innings. He struck out six. Christofor Rompinson (W 1-0) picked up the win. Luis Caratao (L 0-1) gave up three hits, five runs (1 ER) and a walk in 1 2/3 innings.

Box score

Complete Schedule, Standings, Stats

BUL 001 533 10  22 14  5
SRB 100 144  0  10  9 17

A game, which started slow with one run for each team in the first three periods, took a turn to the wild character in the fourth. Bulgaria scored 21 runs in the last four frames, including ten alone in the seventh. Serbia itself scored nine times for a final score of 10-22. The latter committed a whopping 17 errors in the game, leading to 16 unearned runs. Vladimir Markov and Georgi Trenkov both scored four runs for Bulgaria. Dimitar Nassapov and Martin Velinov drove in a combined four runs. Marko Nikolic and Borko Milankov scored twice for Serbia.

Martin Velinov (BUL) allowed three hits, five runs (2 ER) and ten walks in 4 2/3 innings. Teodor Dimitrov (W 1-0) picked up the win. Danijl Kozjak (L 0-2) gave up five hits, eight runs (1 ER) and two base on balls in four-plus innings.

Box score

Lithuania – Croatia 3-8

CRO 003 010 202  8 7 2
LIT 000 300 000  3 7 3

Croatia defeated Lithuania 8-3 on Thursday, moving their record to 3-0 before the last preliminary match on Friday. Ivan Racic gave them back a 4-3 lead in the top of the fifth with a RBI single. Lithuania had evened the game moment before, when they overcame a three-run deficit, scoring on an error and a RBI single by Vytautas Kirlys, who later stole home for the 3-3 tie. Branko Nenadic had three RBI for Croatia. Slobodan Gales scored four times.

Marin Farkas (W 1-0) struck out six in seven innings. He allowed seven hits, three runs (1 ER) and two walks. Edvardas Matusevicius (L 0-1) was charged with seven hits, eight runs (3 ER) and five bb in eight innings. He punched out eight.

Box score

Complete Schedule, Standings, Stats

LAT   0 00 02   2  3 5
CZE (12)04 15  22 16 1

The Czech National Team scored twelve runs in the first on their way to a lopsided 22-2 victory against Latvia. Martin Schneider and Michal Ondracek each drove in four. Eduard Mraz scored four times. All nine batters scored at least twice.

Leos Kubat (W 1-0) allowed just one hit in four innings, striking out six. Valerijs Plungis (L 0-1) gave up eight hits, 16 runs (14 ER) and ten walks in three innings.

It was the fourth win for the Czech Republic in the fourth and last preliminary round game. They now can wait, who will be there opponent in the finals on Saturday.

Box score

Poland – Belarus 2-4

BLR 000 200 002  4  6 4
POL 011 000 000  2 11 1

Belarus needed two runs in the top of the ninth to beat Poland 4-2. They loaded the bases and Andrei Lameika scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch. A perfect executed drag bunt single by Yauheni Karalevich brought in the fourth run. They had tied the game in the fourth through a RBI double and a RBI single by Anatoly Kalachik and Andrei Paplauski. RBI singles by Piotr Mikolajczyk and Piotr Cedzynsky helped to put Poland 2-0 in front.

Aliaksandr Stsefanovich (W 1-0) went the distance, allowing eleven hits, two runs (1 ER) and a walk. He struck out eight and needed 128 pitches to get through the nine frames. Wojciech Raburski (POL) got the start for Poland. He pitched five innings, giving up three hits, two runs and two bb. Wojciech Gierlik (L 0-1) took the loss.

Box score

Complete Schedule, Standings, Stats

FIN 200 001 0   3  4 5
UKR 242 400 1  13 15 2

The Ukraine recovered from the 0-1 loss to Romania on Wednesday and defeated Finland 13-3 in their last preliminary round game on Thursday. They scored twelve runs in the first four periods alone. Dmytro Nelipa and Ihor Litvinchuk each had three hits and three RBI. Maksym Symchyna scored three runs after going three-for-four too.

Roman Mayfat (W 1-0) allowed four hits, two runs and two walks in five innings. Jukka-Pekka Kurvinen (L 0-1) gave up seven hits and six runs (3 ER) in two innings.

Box score

Hungary – Slovakia 1-12 (8)

SVK 024 000 06  12 11 2
HUN 100 000 00   1  3 1

The Slovakian team got their first victory of the Qualifier in Trnava. They defeated Hungary 12-1 in eight innings. 400 people celebrated a 6-1 lead after three innings. They put six runs alone on the board in the eighth to close it out due to ten-run rule. Jan Jablonka had three hits, including a grand slam. Jan Kuzma drove in three, Peter Mudry two.  Hungary had started the match with a RBI triple by Zsolt Zalabai in the first, but could not score more.

Marcel Nagy (W 1-0) allowed two hits, one run and five walks in 5 2/3 innings. Janos Daroczi (L 0-1) gave up eight hits, eight runs and six bb in 7 1/3 innings.

Box score

Complete Schedule, Standings, Stats

AUT 010 000 018  10 9 3
SUI 000 000 011   2 7 4

The Austrian team defeated Switzerland 10-2 in the opener of the Qualifier in Antwerp, Belgium. And the game was much closer than the final score indicates. Austria led till the second after a RBI single by Simon Plagg. Afterwards, the teams traded zeros until the eighth. Both scored once and the ninth started. The Austrian bats got hot batting around, scoring eight runs to decide the outcome finally. Peter Ferak Jr. hit a bases clearing double. Lutz Rauch and Plagg each drove in two. Max Scholdan scored three times. Tobias Siegrist had a triple and scored a run for the Swiss. Janos Palatinus scored the second run.

Christian Tomsich (W 1-0) pitched eight-plus innings, allowing seven hits, two runs (1 ER) and two walks. He struck out five. Severin Fries (L 0-1) was charged with nine hits, ten runs (3 ER) and two bb in 8 2/3 innings.

Box score

Malta – Belgium was postponed till Thursday morning.

RUS 000 002 100  3 4 1
GRE 201 000 02X  5 6 2

The Greek team got off to a good start in the opener of the Qualifier in Abrantes, Portugal. They defeated Russia 5-3 thanks to a two-run homerun by Michael Koutsantonakis in the eighth frame. It was one of three homeruns by Greece this morning. James Demetral and Erik Daniel Pappas went back-to-back in the first period for a fast 2-0 lead. Koutsantonakis added a run in the third with a RBI single. The Russians got on the board in the top of the sixth, when Alexey Kizin scored on an error and Nikita Monakhov scored on a RBI single by Maxim Monakhov. Alexander Vasiliev tied the game in the seventh with a solo shot. However they could not get any runner on afterwards.

Thomas Lyons (W 1-0) allowed four hits, three runs (1 ER) and six walks in seven innings for the win. He struck out eleven. Andrew Brack closed out the contest with two perfect innings to pick up the save. Nikol Chermoshentsev started for Russia and gave up four hits, three runs and three base on balls in three innings. Dmitry Seredenko (L 0-1) took the loss after five innings of relief.

Box score

Ireland – Portugal 8-11

POR 000 250 031  11 12 2
IRE 300 020 021   8 10 5

Portugal got off to a good start, hosting the qualifier. They overcame an early 0-3 deficit against Ireland and defeated them 11-9. Catcher Andrew Jacinto went three-for-four with a homerun and four RBI. Carlos Bolivar scored thrice for the Portuguese. The Irish catcher Jason Hove matched his counterpart at the plate. He also had three hits, a homerun and four RBI. Tom Kelly, Steve O’Sullivan and Doug Anglin each scored two runs.

Steven Correia (W 1-0) allowed ten hits, seven runs (6 ER) and five bb in seven innings. Nat Anglin (IRE) gave up five hits, seven runs (6 ER) and eight walks in five innings. Daniel Woodburne (L 0-1) took the loss.

Box score

LIT 101 000 060  8 11 0
BUL 000 000 000  0  2 3

Lithuania took a fast 2-0 lead after three innings and decided the outcome definitely against Bulgaria in the eighth, when they put six more runs on the board for a final 8-0 shutout. Eimantes Zickus (W 1-0) struck out twelve in a complete game victory. He allowed just two hits and three walks in the nine innings. Offensive wise shortstop Arunas Dankovskis reached three times and drove in two. He was one of eight batters, who got at least a hit and scored.

Dimitar Nassapov (L 0-1) started for Bulgaria, after getting the save against Israel on Monday. He gave up nine hits, eight runs (6 ER) and four base on balls in 7 1/3 innings.

Box score

Serbia – Israel 9-11

ISR 000 320 051  11  8 7
SRB 000 010 431   9 13 6

Israel won a wild game against Serbia 11-9, after scoring five runs in the eighth frame. Moments before, they had blown a 5-0 lead and nearly gave up another five-run advantage, as Serbia rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth period. Oren Gal had three hits, three runs and three RBI. Yoniton Werchow scored three times for Israel. Borivoj Jeremic and Danijl Kozjak each drove in two. Vlastimir Arandelovic, Nikola Vucevic and Ranko Iavnic scored twice for Serbia.

Dan Rothem (ISR) started already his second game, striking out seven in five innings. He allowed five hits, one run and a walk. Shlomo Lipetz (W 1-0) received the win. Sinisa Vajdic (L 0-1) was charged with five hits, nine runs (3 ER) and six bb in 7 2/3 innings.

Box score

POL 560 625  24 15 1
LAT 000 010   1  4 7

Poland scored five or six runs in four of the six innings en route to a lopsided 24-1 victory against Latvia. Mariusz Grzanowsky went two-for-four with a triple, two stolen bases, four runs scored and three RBI. Piotr Cedzynsky also drove in three. Rafal Kalinski scored four times.

Cedzynsky also started for Poland on the mound. He allowed just two hits in three scoreless innings, striking out four. Marcin Musialiek (W 1-0) relieved him and picked up the win. Andi Ansons (L 0-1) was charged with twelve hits, 17 runs (10 ER) and six bb in three-plus innings.

Box score

Czech Republic – Slovenia 3-2 (11)

SLO 000 010 001 00  2 3 4
CZE 101 000 000 01  3 8 2

The Czech Republic needed a walk off RBI single by Jakub Malik in the bottom of the eleventh to beat Slovenia 3-2. Petr Baroch (3-5, 3 Runs) scored the game winner after reaching through a triple. The Slovenian squad had tied the game in the top of the ninth through a two-out RBI single by Bogdan Arnez to force extra innings.

Boris Bokaj (CZE) allowed two hits, one run and two walks in 4 2/3 innings. Jakub Toufar (W 1-0) picked up a win, striking out three in three one-hit innings. Rok Vadas (L 0-1) went the distance for Slovenia. He gave up three runs (2 ER) on eight hits in 10 1/3 innings.

Box score

ROM 000 000 000 1  1 4 0
UKR 000 000 000 0  0 2 1

Two undefeated teams met today in the morning session in Trnava, Slovakia. And the 150 people, who attended the game did not get disappointed, as they saw a pitchers duel decided in the tenth period. A passed ball brought Andrei Apostoaei home to lead Romania to a 1-0 victory against the Ukraine. Apostoaei had led of the frame with a double. It was the only extra base hit of the day.

The two starters Mihai Burlea (W 1-0) and Oleksandr Trofimenko both went the distance and put zeros on the board till the first extra inning. Burlea struck out 13 and allowed just two hits and a walk in ten innings. He threw 130 pitches in the win. Trofimenko matched him nearly pitch for pitch, striking out eleven, while giving up four hits, one run and a base on balls. He also needed 130 pitches to complete the game.

Box score

Finland – Hungary 0-10 (7)

HUN 401 010 4  10 7 1
FIN 000 000 0   0 2 3

Hungary scored four runs in the first en route to a 10-0 shutout against Finland. Andras Jano and Jozsef Ando both drove in two runs. Gyorgy Nemeth had three hits, including a double.

Peter Luptak (W 1-0) allowed just one hit in five innings for the win. He struck out two. Janne Vartiainen (L 0-1) gave up seven hits, ten runs (6 ER) and seven bb in seven innings. He got nine strikeouts.

Box score

SRB 100 000 100  2 8 5
LIT 100 103 20X  7 7 3

Serbia is already under pressure  after two game days at the Qualifier in Karlovac. They lost 2-7 against Lithuania on Tuesday. The Baltic team took the lead in the fourth on Vytautas Kirlys’ (3-4, 2 RBI) RBI single and added five more in the sixth and seventh period. Ramunas Santares was two-for-four with a triple, three runs scored and two RBI. Tomas Jankoitis also tripled and had two RBI.

Aivaras Jacyna (W 1-0) struck out nine in 7 2/3 solid innings for the win. He gave up seven hits, two runs (1 ER) and a walk. Vlastimir Arandelovic (L 0-1) was charged with five hits, five runs (3 ER) and five base on balls in six innings.

Box score

Israel – Croatia 1-6

CRO 100 000 113  6 9 0
ISR 100 000 000  1 4 2

Ernesto Pereira (W 1-0) struck out 20 batters to lead Croatia to a 6-1 victory against Israel. He threw a complete game, allowing four hits, one run and four walks. His offense waited till the seventh to provide him with the necessary run support, but got the job done anyway. Jason Pospishil reached four times, scoring twice and driving in a run. Slobodan Gales, Josip Brozinic and Romeil Agladius also had RBIs. Oren Gal had two hits and a RBI for Israel.

Alon Leishman (L 0-1) struck out nine in eight innings. He gave up six hits, three runs (2 ER) and five bb.

Box score

Complete Schedule, Standings, Stats

BEL 102 000 000   3  5 6
SLO 030 011 06X  11 14 4

Slovenia also won their second game at the Qualifier in Prague. They broke a 3-3 tie in the fifth and used a six-run eighth to defeat Belarus 11-3. Jaka Serbec was two-for-five with a homerun, a double and two RBI. Klemen Gajzer also drove in two. Alessio Miani and Uros Rudolf each scored twice.

Francesco Miani (W 1-0) started and allowed three unearned on five hits in a complete game victory. He struck out four. Andrei Paplauski (L 0-1) gave up eleven hits, eight runs (6 ER) and two walks in seven-plus innings.

Box score

Poland – Czech Republic 1-12 (7)

CZE 810 021 0  12 12 0
POL 000 000 1   1  3 1

The Czech National Team didn’t waste time against Poland. They used an eight-run first en route to an easy 12-1 victory. Simon Kudernatsch reached base three times, scored twice, stole two bases and drove in two.  Petr Baroch, Eduard Mraz and Tomas Polansky also had two RBIs.

Radek Prochazka (CZE) started and struck out six in four one-hit innings. Jan Rehacek (W 1-0) picked up the win after five strikeouts in two relief innings. Mateusz Piatek (L 0-1) just got one out in the first, before leaving the mound. He was charged with four hits, six runs and a walk.

Box score

Complete Schedule, Standings, Stats

UKR 000 001 004  5 7 1
HUN 000 000 000  0 5 3

Hungary held a scoreless tie for the first five periods, until the Ukraine came through in the top of the sixth to take the lead on Serhiy Tikhonets RBI single. They added four more runs in the ninth for a final score of 5-0. Dmytro Nelipa reached base five times and drove in two.

Anatoliy Korolev (W 1-0) gave up just five hits in a complete game shutout. He struck out three and needed just 87 pitches, thanks to 15 groundouts. Zsolt Zalabai (L 0-1) matched him for most parts of the game, but got no run support to get something for his effort. He allowed six hits, five runs (1 ER) and four walks in 8 1/3 innings. He threw a whopping 159 pitches.

Box score

Romania – Slovakia 8-5

SVK 000 001 040  5 9 3
ROM 030 103 01X  8 5 0

Romania needed just five hits to produce eight runs in an 8-5 victory over Slovakia. They took a fast 3-0 lead in the second and had a 7-1 advantage after six innings. The host of the Qualifier cut the deficit to 5-7 after a grand slam by Igor Jankovic in the top of the eighth. But it was too little and too late.

Dan Panaitescu had two RBI. Ciprian Fetcu, Adrian Preda and George Bela each scored twice. Tomas Biskorovajny had three hits for the Slovakian squad.

Panaitescu (W 1-0) also was successful on the mound. He started and allowed eight hits, five runs and four walks in 7 1/3 innings. He struck out nine. Simon Prochaczka (L 0-1) gave up two hits, four runs (1 ER) and five bb in five innings.

Box score

Complete Schedule, Standings, Stats

SLO 140 461 1  17 12 2
LAT 000 000 0   0  1 4

Slovenia could not imagine a better start into the Qualifier in Prague. They crushed Latvia 17-0. Besides the third, they scored in every of the seven frames. Ales Mravlje hit a grand slam and scored three times. Jaka Trobec and Tine Marolt each drove in three. Uros Rudolf scored three runs. Despite producing 16 hits, they only had two extra base hits.

Mirko Kucinik started and threw four perfect innings, striking out seven. Luka Kreitmayer (W 1-0) picked up the victory after three innings of one-hit relief. Kristaps Duselis (L 0-1) was charged with eleven hits, 15 runs (14 ER) and six bb in five innings.

Box score

Belarus – Czech Republic 0-10 (7)

CZE 040 210 3  10 14 0
BEL 000 000 0   0   0 1

The Czech National Team had nearly a perfect start into the European Championship Qualifier in Prague. Martin Schneider (4 IP, 2 BB, 6 SO), Boris Bokaj (1 IP, 1 SO), Jakub Toufar (1 IP) and Pavel Budsky (W 1-0, 1 IP, 3 SO) combined for a seven-inning no-hitter against Belarus. They won by a final score of 10-0.

Tomas Polansky was two-for-three with a triple and a homerun. Leos Kubat had two doubles and drove in four. Budsky and Petr Cech each had three hits, two runs and a RBI.

Raman Tohaleu (L 0-1) allowed 14 hits, ten runs and a walk in seven innings.

Box score

Complete Schedule, Standings, Stats

ROM 010 210 400  8 10 0
FIN 000 000 000  0  5 3

Romania got off to a great start at the Qualifier in Trnava, Slovakia. They shut out Finland in the opener 8-0. Mihai Georgescu (W 1-0) struck out nine in seven four-hit innings, walking none.

Gabriel Constantinescu and Andrei Lucaciu each hit homeruns and combined to go six-for-nine with four runs scored and six RBI.

Timo Liiri (L 0-1) allowed seven hits, four runs and three base on balls in six innings.

Box score

Slovakia – Ukraine 1:7 (8)

UKR 300 001 03  7 9 0
SVK 000 000 1X  1 1 3

500 people in attendance in Trnava saw a loss of host country Slovakia against the Ukraine. The latter scored three runs in the first on their way to 7-1 victory in eight innings. Artam Palamarachuk had three hits and three RBI. Denys Agapov and Oleksandr Mamontov each scored two times.

Roman Yatsyuk (W 1-0) allowed just one hits, one run and walk in seven innings, while striking out nine. Pavol Teslik (L 0-1) gave up four hits, three runs and four bb in three innings for the loss.

Box score

Complete Schedule, Standings, Stats

ISR 142 100 000   8 7 1
BUL 000 000 56X  11 7 6

Bulgaria waited long, but came finally through and overcame a 0-8 deficit after four innings to beat Israel 11-8 in Karlovac. They had to score eleven runs in the seventh and eighth periods to seal the victory. Israel starter Dan Rothem dominated through the first 6 2/3 innings, allowing just four hits and a walk. He left the mound with two outs in the bottom of the seventh and nobody on and their pitching fell apart. Bulgaria rallied for five runs in the frame to get back into the game. Another big inning one inning later decided the outcome finally.

Alexander Tashev, Dimitar Nassapov, Yasen Nedelchev and Amauri Gorrin each drove in two runs. Five batters scored twice for Bulgaria. Moshe Lewis and Ofir Katz combined for five RBI for Israel.

Rumen Lachev (BUL) gave up five hits, seven runs (3 ER) and three bb in three innings. Nedelchev picked up the win. Yoandre Gil took the loss.

Box score

Croatia – Serbia 18-1 (7)

SRB 00 0 000 1   1  1 5
CRO 2010 204 X  18 17 1

Croatia scored ten runs in the third en route to an 18-1 pounding of Serbia on their home turf in Karlovac. Branko Nenadic went three-for-four with a grand slam, two runs scored and a total of seven RBI. Jason Pospishil, Josip Brozinic and Ivan Radic each scored three times.

James Summers (W 1-0) pitched five no-hit innings, walking one. Danijl Kozjak (L 0-1) gave up twelve runs (just 2 ER) on twelve hits in three innings.

Box score

Complete Schedule, Stats, Standings

Schedule Monday July 7th
Trnava (SVK):
11:00 Finland – Romania
17:00 Slovakia – Ukraine

Prague (CZ):
15:00 Latvia – Slovenia
20:00 Belarus – Czech Republic

Karlovac (CRO):
11:00 Bulgaria – Israel
17:00 Croatia – Serbia

Visit Mister-Baseball.com for short recaps on all games.

Climbing cherry trees for a good part of my youth I remember a seeming abundance of cherries in our garden. But not all cherries were meant to safely land in my basket. Some where out of my reach, some damaged, some too young, and sometimes my fingers were too clumsy to secure a nice juice pair of cherries that was barely within my reach. As a result I watched them sail all the way to the ground, with my taste buds gasping for air.

The question now is which cherries will drop during the Qualifiers and which will secure a cozy spot in the basket that is the European Championship 2010 in Germany.

The term Cherry Picking also refers to picking the best from a field of objects, like picking the ripest cherries from a tree. Let’s take a look at who the best in field are:

Qualifier Trnava, Slovakia:

Finland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine

Ukraine is the only team with A-Pool experience. Slovakia was closest to the A-Pool when they lost to the Greek National Team in the Final game. But this was nearly five years ago and this year the Slovak organization already received a warning sign: Neither Eurocup team recorded a win in the Qualifiers, including an unexpected loss to the Greek team, which this time around didn’t include Greek-American players, and scored three runs in three games prior to their clash with BK Apollo for a second to last place finish.

Maybe organizing the Qualifier Event can turn things around in Slovakia. However, the Ukraine Team is strong and experienced, and owns a very fine pitcher in Roman Yatsyuk who has done well in A-Pool play, as a member of the well-known Czech club Draci Brno in 2005.

This cherry will not fall.

Qualifier Prague, Czech Republic:

Belarus, Czech Republic, Latvia, Poland, Slovenia

The Czech cherry tree was shaken significantly last year. The team played below expectations in Barcelona. And to top it off, after the tournament Czech Republic was stripped of their only two wins due to disregarding rules concerning players with Minor League contracts.

This year they look to rebound and win a bid for 2010. But they are going to have to do it without the help of their Minor Leaguers (with the Exception of Petr Cech from the Cincinnati Reds Organization), as these players are still employed in Leagues overseas.

Slovenia participated in the A-Pool Events 1995, ’97, and ’99 and this year Kranjski Lisjaki beat the Czech Team MZLU Express in the Eurocup Qualifier. However, MZLU appears weaker than last year when they were able to capture a spot in the Extraleague Final. They are 7-10 with a run differential of 67:117 and are currently in 7th place.

The Czech National Team will bring talented players from Leagues around Europe (notably the Dutch Hoofdklasse and German Bundesliga) and the domestic surroundings will play in their favor. Their tree will stand firmly this year and hopefully continue to grow in years to come.

Qualifier Karlovac, Croatia:

Bulgaria, Croatia, Israel, Lithuania, Serbia

This seems to be an easy group for Croatia. The question is: Have they enough depth? Olimpija Karlovac won only one game in the European Cup in Regensburg, but was able to hold the scores down for the most part. The majority of the National Team comes from this team. Their other Eurocup participant, Zagreb B.C., was also able to get only one win. However, they played in the Qualifier in Brno.

Cherry Picking has a specific meaning in Sports. In Ice-Hockey it denotes the tactic of staying close to the oppositions’ net and cashing in on anything that bounces one’s way. To translate this into Baseball it is to capitalize on errors and walks with timely hitting, in other words “winning ugly” which is a tactic all teams in this tournament turn to. If the ball bounces the right way this could turn into an interesting group and the cherry could indeed drop.

Bulgaria might get a couple of good games out of Dimitar Nassapov on the mound. He is in the services of the Bundesliga club Mainz Athletics and so far accumulated an even 1-1 Record, with a 3.63 ERA and 29 Strikeouts in 34.2 Innings pitched.

Qualifier Abrantes, Portugal:

Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Russia

Greece and Portugal are looking at a tough task. Even though Aveiro University surprised with three wins at the EC Qualifier in Kutno they should have little fire-power to throw at the Russian hitters.

After the euphoria around the Olympics in Athens died off, Greece has struggled to keep Baseball alive. Ireland on the other hand has progressed lately and most recently lost in the Final of the Championship Qualifier against Croatia two years ago.

How many Irish-American players they were able to get for the tournament will determine how big a challenge they will present to the Russian Team. However the change to wooden bats in all European competitions will hurt the Irish team, as this will be the first tournament they are faced with the additional challenges that come with using wooden bats. Keep in mind that Russia destroyed their competition at the Qualifier two years ago solely with wood bats, when all other teams were using aluminum. My money is on the Russians.

Qualifier Antwerp, Belgium:

Austria, Belgium, Malta, Switzerland

I wouldn’t mind if the alphabetical order holds up in this tournament as I will be running around in this tournament with Austria written across my chest. But to be honest I’m not sure who the cherry is.

Belgium has a quality team with plenty of A-Pool experience. Switzerland has been making strides with their program. The Bern Cardinals winning the EC Qualifier this year and thus earning a chance to compete for an A-Pool spot for their country. Adding in that each team will play only three games in group-play, giving teams with lesser depth a better chance. This group will turn out how well the pitching staff for each team can turn it on.

It’s hard to get an offense rolling in three games, when each game is critical, as the round-robin match-up is simultaneously the first final game in a best-of-three series for the title. But then again it’s guessing game whether or not the opposing team in the current game will end up in the final.

I’ll pick my words carefully about this group. But I will say that a cherry may drop here, for whoever the cherry may be.

Conclusion

All in all the experience from quality tournaments and the experience of playing with wood will shape these tournaments and upsets are very unlikely. The top ten nations in Europe established wonderful programs and are getting great results from the youth and developmental programs.

While there are combined 30 nations in the Men’s Qualifiers and European Championships, there are only 13 at the Cadet stage, 18 at Juniors, and a mere six nations at Juveniles.

A cherry will blossom only so beautifully how sound and well-nourished its roots are.