By Gabriel Fidler, Managing Editor.
BRNO, Czechia – The penultimate day of the European Baseball Championship determined the final positions for all but the semifinalists, who each had the day off. The day finished with the hometown Czechs playing a tight game with Israel to claim fifth place, with long-time veteran Jakub Hajtmar playing his final national team game. Hajtmar was honoured with a mid-inning exit and post-game celebration, each of which resulted in a long standing ovation from an excellent crowd.
France shut out Sweden thanks, in part, to a shutout start by phenom Ben Couvreur, while Italy had to rally in its final at bat to survive Croatia. Belgium saw off the ascendant Swiss in a tight game, while Greece defeated Ukraine. Austria bested rivals Hungary in the final placement game, but the two joined Ukraine in the relegation zone and will have to qualify for the top pool of the Baseball Euros next time.
Fifteenth Place
Hungary 5 – Austria 15 (8)
Thirteenth Place
Ukraine 4 – Greece 8
Eleventh Place
Switzerland 3 – Belgium 8
Ninth Place
Croatia 5 – Italy 6
Seventh Place
Sweden 0 – France 13 (7)
Fifth Place
Israel 1 – Czechia 5
Box Scores [Link].