President Fritz MULDER announced five of the six participating teams for the 24th edition of the Haarlemse Honkbal Week (HHW). The Netherlands will try to defend their title from 2007 against squads from Cuba, USA, Japan and Chinese Taipei. A sixth nation will be named in the upcoming weeks.
The event takes place from July 4 to 13 in Haarlem, Netherlands. It is a big test in preparation for the Olympic Games in Beijing as four of the five teams are already qualified. Chinese Taipei will have a last chance next month at the qualifier.
The Dutch team won the last two HHW in 2004 and 2006. Cuba was not victorious at this prestigious contest since 1998. This is a long period of time, when you consider the success of them on the International level.
Photo © Ron Wickert, www.eott.nl