Originally the preliminary round at the 2010 European Championship was supposed to end on Tuesday. But due to the rainouts on Monday, Wednesday also will see games of the first round. Still seven games are scheduled for the fifth day of the tournament. France and Belgium are going to play twice. Sylvain Virey was not happy about it, as the Equipe Tricolore is still fighting for a spot in the final round.
Both teams will face each other in the morning in Stuttgart. Pierrick Lemestre is expected to take the mound for France, while it remains to be seen if Terence Antonacci will get the nod for Belgium. In afternoon at the Stuttgart Reds ballpark they will take on the Dutch national team. Pitching coach Steve Janssen wouldn’t reveal the identity of their starter. They are probably waiting, if Antonacci is going to face them. In the evening game in Stuttgart, Germany is playing against France. Tim Henkenjohann and Martin Dewald are the two candidates for the team of head coach Greg Frady. Nicolas Dubaut is the most likely option for France.
In Heidenheim Spain is fighting for its last chance for a spot in the final round against Sweden. Team Espana needs to get into a tie with the “Tre Kronors” and Great Britain. For that scenario, Greece also needs to beat the British squad in the lone game in Neuenburg. Additionally Italy is facing Croatia and the Ukraine the Czech Republic. Both games will be played in Heidenheim.
Schedule Day 5:
July 27:
10:30 France – Belgium (in Stuttgart)
11:30 Spain – Sweden (in Heidenheim)
14:30 Ukraine – Czech Republic (in Heidenheim)
14:30 Belgium – Netherlands (in Stuttgart)
17:00 Greece – Great Britain (in Neuenburg)
18:30 Italy – Croatia (in Heidenheim)
19:00 Germany – France (in Stuttgart)