Preview Softball European Club Cup (Top Teams / A-Pool) - Haarlem
The European Cup Women “A” Softball Tournament will be held from August 20-25 in Haarlem, The Netherlands. This prestigious tourney features the top fast-pitch ladies softball teams in Europe.
Teams competing in Group A includes Mosca Macerata (Italy), Dornbirn Sharx (Austria), SK Joudrs Prague (Czech), Cavignal Nice (France), and the Brasschaat Braves.
Mosca Macerata won the title last year by defeating the Haarlem Sparks in the championship game and is led by top hitter Stacey PORTER, dual threat Tatiana HOLODNOW, Pamela MAZZARELLA, Marta GAMBELLA, and launcher Serena FILIPUT.
The Sharx enter the tourney with an unblemished 24-0 record and finished a solid fourth at the 2006 European Cup. The Austrian Softball League powerhouse is led by Lisa ALLEN, Cameron LINDSEY, Grace LEUTELE, and Brianne McGOWAN.
SK Joudrs Prague is the host team and is paced by Lenka JAKLOVA, Linda RYCHLA, Katerina VALTROVA, and Petra KALCEVOVA.
Group B features a plethora of strong teams including tournament favorites Fiorini Forli (Italy) and the Haarlem Sparks (Netherlands). Other top clubs are Viladecans (Spain), Mannheim Tornados (Germany), and Carrousel Bosco Sports (Russia).
The Italian champions Fiorini Forli are led by top pitchers Jessica SALLINGER and Leslie MALERICH. The top hitters includes Eva TREVISAN, Christen BEDWELL, and Alana BAGBY-LEONARD.
The Sparks lost in last year’s European Cup title game and will have the home-field advantage this time. Chantal VERSLUIS is the top hitter along with Lynn GEERTMAN, Marloes FELLINGER, Jolanda KROESEN, and Kim KLUIJSKENS.
Viladecans finished in seventh place a year ago and the 2007 Spanish Softball League Champions and leading hitter Sara Munoz is looking to bring home a medal. Leadoff hitter Jessica IBORRA is an excellent tablesetter while Teresa SAN JUAN is an MVP-type slugger.
The Tornados are dominating the German Softball League with top players Dilsad BABAYIGIT, Christine BRUCKNER, and Victoria CASS leading the way. Top pitchers Sonja GARNETT and Anke-Marie GREWE anchor the starting rotation.
The Russian softball club – Carrousel Bosco Sports – captured the 2006 European B-Pool Qualifier to earn a spot at this year’s European Cup.
Tournament games slated for Monday, August 20, includes:
1. Fiorini Forli – Mannheim
2. SK Joudrs Prague – Brasschaat
3. Dornbirn Sharx – Cavignal Nice
4. Mosca Macerata – SK Joudrs Prague
5. Mannheim – Carrousel Bosco Sports
6. Cavignal Nice – Brasschaat
7. Haarlem Sparks – Viladecans
Games scheduled for Tuesday, August 21, includes:
1. Viladecans – Mannheim
2. Carrousel Bosco Sports – Fiorini Forli
3. Dornbirn Sharx – SK Joudrs Prague
4. Brasschaat – Mosca Macerata
5. Viladecans – Carrousel Bosco Sports
6. Mannheim – Haarlem
7. Mosca Macerata – Dornbirn Sharx
8. SK Joudrs Prague – Cavignal Nice
9. Haarlem Sparks – Fiorini Forli
